Enallagma basidens

Calvert, 1902

Double-striped Bluet

Enallagma basidens, commonly known as the Double-striped Bluet, is a of in the . measure 21–28 mm in length. The species is distinguished by a unique black shoulder stripe divided by a thin , a feature found in no other damselfly. It occurs across North America and Middle America.

Enallagma basidens by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Enallagma basidens 224566473 by Sam Kieschnick. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Double-striped bluet (26981668283) by Melissa McMasters from Memphis, TN, United States. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Enallagma basidens: /ɛnəˈlæɡmə ˈbæsɪdɛnz/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The identification feature is the peculiar black shoulder stripe, which is divided in two by a thin stripe. No other possesses a shoulder stripe with this appearance. This characteristic distinguishes E. basidens from all other damselflies, including other Enallagma species.

Images

Distribution

Present in North America and Middle America. Distribution records include the United States (including Vermont) and regions of Middle America.

Similar Taxa

Enallagma civileBoth are small in the Enallagma, but E. civile (Familiar Bluet) lacks the divided black shoulder stripe characteristic of E. basidens. E. civile has a single, undivided shoulder stripe.
Other Enallagma speciesMultiple Enallagma share general coloration and small size, but none possess the distinctive divided black shoulder stripe that is diagnostic for E. basidens.

More Details

Taxonomic Authority

Described by Calvert in 1902.