Common Namemarsh bluetSeasonalityAdults fly from June to August in Alberta. Flight season extends in more temperate regions.IdentificationA smaller bluet, with adults ranging from 28-34 mm in total length and 16-21 mm in hindwing length. Males are predominantly blue (andromorphic), while females are polymorphic and range from light blue to yellow-green, the former being more common. Thoracic stripes are typical of most bluets in both sexes. Black abdominal banding is present in both sexes. In males, the first three black bands occurring on abdominal segments 3 to 5 increase in width towards the end of the abdomen. Male abdominal segments 6, 7 and 10 are mostly black on the dorsal surface, segments 8 to 9 are predominantly blue. Males have a large apical spot on the dorsal surface of abdominal segment 2. In females, the abdomen is mostly black due to broadening of abdominal bands on the dorsal surface. Male eyes are dorsally black and ventrally blue, while female eyes are dorsally brown and ventrally tan to pale green. Postocular spots are prominent and rarely separated, forming a dumbbell shape in both sexes. In certain populations, abdominal banding may be wider in marsh bluets than in Hagen’s bluets (Enallagma hageni); however, over much of its range, marsh bluets are virtually indistinguishable from Hagen’s bluets except when viewed under magnification. Male marsh bluets and Hagen’s bluets differ in morphology of cerci. The large size of the mesostigmal plates, or “shoulder pads”, of female marsh bluets differentiate them from all other female bluets save Hagen’s bluets; however, the mesostigmal plates of female marsh bluets lie flat towards their posterior end, while the mesostigmal plates of female Hagen’s bluets are raised above the thorax. Compared to marsh bluets, northern bluets (Enallagma annexum), boreal bluets (Enallagma boreale), and familiar bluets (Enallagma civile) may be similar in colouration, but all 3 are notably larger (Acorn 2004; Paulsen 2009).
Scientific NameEnallagma ebriumCommon Name
marsh bluet
Seasonality
Adults fly from June to August in Alberta. Flight season extends in more temperate regions.
Identification
A smaller bluet, with adults ranging from 28-34 mm in total length and 16-21 mm in hindwing length. Males are predominantly blue (andromorphic), while females are polymorphic and range from light blue to yellow-green,…
A smaller bluet, with adults ranging from 28-34 mm in total length and 16-21 mm in hindwing length. Males are predominantly blue (andromorphic), while females are polymorphic and range from light blue to yellow-green, the former being more common. Thoracic stripes are typical of most bluets in both sexes. Black abdominal banding is present in both sexes. In males, the first three black bands occurring on abdominal segments 3 to 5 increase in width towards the end of the abdomen. Male abdominal segments 6, 7 and 10 are mostly black on the dorsal surface, segments 8 to 9 are predominantly blue. Males have a large apical spot on the dorsal surface of abdominal segment 2. In females, the abdomen is mostly black due to broadening of abdominal bands on the dorsal surface. Male eyes are dorsally black and ventrally blue, while female eyes are dorsally brown and ventrally tan to pale green. Postocular spots are prominent and rarely separated, forming a dumbbell shape in both sexes. In certain populations, abdominal banding may be wider in marsh bluets than in Hagen’s bluets (Enallagma hageni); however, over much of its range, marsh bluets are virtually indistinguishable from Hagen’s bluets except when viewed under magnification. Male marsh bluets and Hagen’s bluets differ in morphology of cerci. The large size of the mesostigmal plates, or “shoulder pads”, of female marsh bluets differentiate them from all other female bluets save Hagen’s bluets; however, the mesostigmal plates of female marsh bluets lie flat towards their posterior end, while the mesostigmal plates of female Hagen’s bluets are raised above the thorax. Compared to marsh bluets, northern bluets (Enallagma annexum), boreal bluets (Enallagma boreale), and familiar bluets (Enallagma civile) may be similar in colouration, but all 3 are notably larger (Acorn 2004; Paulsen 2009).
Life History
Males congregate near the edges open water, perching on emergent and shoreline vegetation or algal matts, alert to passing females (Paulson 2009). Males are rarely seen over open water. Mating pairs form adjacent to…
Males congregate near the edges open water, perching on emergent and shoreline vegetation or algal matts, alert to passing females (Paulson 2009). Males are rarely seen over open water. Mating pairs form adjacent to water bodies, generally around midday and into the evening. Females may oviposit on floating and emergent vegetation while still in tandem, or may break tandem for submerged oviposition. During submerged oviposition, females may descend 30 cm or more beneath the water’s surface (Paulson 2009). Nymphs presumably hatch anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after eggs are laid and continue to grow through the late summer and fall (Kormondy and Gower 1965). Little larval growth occurs during the winter season (Kormondy and Gower 1965). In early spring, larval growth resumes until the last instar is reached in June (Kormondy and Gower 1965). Shortly after nymphs will climb out of the water onto a favorable perch where they will undergo their final molt, revealing a winged adult marsh bluet (Acorn 2004). After emergence, adult marsh bluets mature in approximately one week (Kormondy and Gower 1965). The entirety of the marsh bluets life cycle is completed within one year (Kormondy and Gower 1965).
Conservation
Not currently of concern. Marsh bluets are common throughout their range.
Diet Info
Adults feed on a diverse assortment of small soft-bodied winged insects (e.g., mosquitoes, other dipterans, mayflies, small moths). Nymphs feed on a variety of mobile prey, primarily aquatic invertebrates (e.g.,…
Adults feed on a diverse assortment of small soft-bodied winged insects (e.g., mosquitoes, other dipterans, mayflies, small moths). Nymphs feed on a variety of mobile prey, primarily aquatic invertebrates (e.g., mosquito and other dipteran larvae, mayfly larvae) (Lung and Sommer 2001).
Range
Marsh bluets are common throughout north-central North America, ranging from central British Columbia to the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland. Can be found as far south as
Tennessee and West Virginia. Does not extend…
Marsh bluets are common throughout north-central North America, ranging from central British Columbia to the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland. Can be found as far south as
Tennessee and West Virginia. Does not extend as far north as the Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut (Acorn 2004; Paulsen 2009).
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Citation
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Page Citation for Enallagma ebrium
Page Citation
"Species Details - Enallagma ebrium, Freshwater Invertebrate Collection." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/5-26018. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.
References
AuthorLung, M., and S. Sommer
TitleEnallagma ebrium (marsh bluet).
Publication Date2001
AuthorForbes, M. R., and R. L. Baker
TitleCondition and fecundity of the damselfly, Enallagma ebrium (Hagen): the importance of ectoparasites.
Publication Date1986
Series TitleOecologia
Volume86
Pages335-341
DOI10.1007/BF00317598
AuthorAcorn, J.
TitleDamselflies of Alberta.
Publication Date2004
Pages156 pp
AuthorPaulson, D. R.
TitleDragonflies and Damselflies of the West.
Publication Date2009
Pages535 pp
AuthorForbes, M. R.
TitleEctoparasites and mating success of male Enallagma ebrium damselflies (Odonata: Coenagrionidae).
Publication Date1991
Series TitleOikos
Volume60
Pages336-342
DOI10.2307/3545076
AuthorKormondy, E. J., and J. L. Gower
TitleLife history variations in an association of Odonata.
Publication Date1965
Series TitleEcology
Volume46
Pages882-886
DOI10.2307/1934027
Specimen Information
There are 11 specimens of this Species.
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11 results plotted on map in 7 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.