Insect · GBIF taxon 1428054
Blue Dasher
Pachydiplax longipennisBlue dashers are aggressive, highly visible dragonflies commonly seen perching on emergent vegetation around still waters. Mature males feature chalky blue abdomens, striped thorax patterns, and bright metallic green eyes, while females display distinct yellow stripes along a brown abdomen. They make brief, rapid hunting sorties from a favorite stem, snatching mosquitoes and midges right out of the air before returning to the same spot.
WetlandPredatoryAgile Flyer
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Mosquitoes
- Midges
- Small flies
Predators
- Birds
- Frogs
- Larger dragonflies
ThreatsPesticide contamination, wetland drainage, habitat loss
HabitatsPonds, lakes, marshes, ditches, slow streams
Life span1–2 months as adult; up to 1 year total life cycle
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderOdonata
- FamilyLibellulidae
- GenusPachydiplax
- SpeciesPachydiplax longipennis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observing: Look for males resting on twigs near water, raising their abdomens on hot sunny days to regulate body temperature.
- Photography: Move slowly toward their perching stem, as individuals routinely fly back to the exact same location after flushing.
- Habitat timing: Visit sunny pond margins during warm summer mid-afternoons when flight activity reaches its peak.
Competitor D. Gordon E. Robertson / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Co-occurring Skimmer Jeevan Jose, Kerala, India / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Co-occurring Skimmer MONGO / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative Bruce Marlin / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
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Found in Collections
Ecosystem chain
Wetland Territory
Blue Dasher is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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