blue-fronted dancer
(Argia apicalis)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Description |
On the male, the face and thorax, including the top of the thorax, is bright blue. The dark shoulder stripes are thin. The top of abdominal segments 8, 9, and 10 are bright blue. The spurs on the lower legs are long, twice as long as the space between them. The wings are clear and are distinctly narrowed (stalked) at the base. |
Size |
Total length: 1 5 ⁄16″ to 1 9 ⁄16″ |
Similar Species |
Habitat |
Small, slow-moving rivers and streams; occasionally also on ponds and lakes. |
Biology |
Season |
Mid-June to mid-September |
Behavior |
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Life Cycle |
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Naiad Food |
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Adult Food |
Flying insects |
Distribution |
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Sources Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 8/2/2025). Steffens, W. P., and W. A. Smith. 1999. Status survey for special concern and endangered dragonflies of Minnesota: population status, inventory and monitoring recommendations. Final report submitted to the Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 54 pp. |
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| 8/10/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Fairly common |
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Taxonomy |
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Order |
Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) |
Suborder |
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Superfamily |
Coenagrionoidea |
Family |
Coenagrionidae (narrow-winged damselflies) |
Genus |
Argia (dancers) |
Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Argia apicalis |
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Common Names |
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blue-fronted dancer |
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Visitor Photos |
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Kirk Nelson |
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Andy Witchger |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Male |
Male |
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Male |
Female |
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Female |
Female |
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Female |
Female |
Slideshows |
Argia apicalis (Blue-fronted Dancer) |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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Blue-fronted Dancer (Coenagrionidae: Argia apicalis) Female on Leaf |
About
Uploaded on Jul 6, 2009 Photographed at East Grand Forks, Minnesota (06 July 2009). |
Blue-fronted Dancer checking me and my lens cap while I was filming |
About
Uploaded on Nov 27, 2009 He glared at me as I videoed him. Once he came and checked me out by flying to the right of me and landing back at the same spot. Then he checked out my lens cap which is attached to the lens and hangs to the left and sat back in the same location and stared at me. |
Visitor Sightings |
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Robyn |
Location: Ney Nature Center pond, Henderson, MN |
| Kirk Nelson 7/24/2016 |
Location: Fort Snelling State Park, on the Picnic Island Trail |
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| Andy Witchger 8/3/2016 |
Location: Slim Lake, St Louis County |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 8/4/2016 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |