New Jersey Endangered and Threatened Species Field Guide
Zoom+ An adult female New England bluet. © Allen BarlowNew England bluet
Enallagma laterale
Species Group: Invertebrate
Conservation Status
State: Special Concern
IDENTIFICATION
A small species about one inch in length, its abdomen is most often more blue than black. The head has small blue tear-shaped spots usually attached by a narrow line. The mature female looks similar to the male, but has blue areas replaced with tan or pale green. Juvenile females are pale blue.
Zoom+ Range of the New England bluet in New Jersey.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
This species shows a preference for spring-fed lakes and ponds with well-developed marginal bogs and an abundant growth of sphagnum. New England bluets are found in the northern regions of the state as well as the Pine Barrens.
DIET
Nymphs feed on aquatic invertebrate; adults on flying insects.
LIFE CYCLE
New England bluets have a brief flight season that begins in mid-May and ends in June, they are most abundant from the last week of May to mid-June.
CURRENT STATUS, THREATS, AND CONSERVATION
Due to the global rarity of this dragonfly and the limited number of populations within New Jersey, the arrowhead spiketail is a Special Concern species. Water quality declines due to sewage and roadway run-off are primary threats. Destruction of surrounding uplands and fields deprives newly emerged adults of protection from predation and severe weather.
Text derived from the book, Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of New Jersey. 2009. By Allen E. Barlow, David M. Golden and Jim Bangma.
Edited and updated by Brian Henderson in 2011.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Family: Coenagrionidae
Genus: Enallagma
Species: E. laterale
Find Related Info: Invertebrates, Special concern
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