Sedge Sprite

This article is about the insect. For other uses, see Nehalennia (disambiguation).

Sedge Sprite
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Family:	Coenagrionidae
Genus:	Nehalennia
Species:	N. irene
Binomial name
Nehalennia irene (Hagen, 1861)

Nehalennia irene is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. This species is commonly known as the sedge sprite.

Identification

On male sedge sprites, the thorax is bright green above and black above blue or yellow-green on the sides. His abdomen is dark iridescent green and has a blue tip with dark green spots. His large eyes are black above blue with a thin blue bar across the top of the head. On female sedge sprites, the back of the thorax is dark green and the sides are yellowish. Her abdomen is dark above and yellowish below. Her large eyes are greenish or yellowish.

Diet

The sedge sprite feeds on insects. This damselfly flight pattern is low, in and out of vegetation away from open water.

Size

This is rather small damselfly in size. Its has an average length of 1-1.5 inches (25-38 millimeters).

Habitat

The sedge sprite is usually found along vernal pools, marshes and grassy ponds.

Distribution

• United States: (Alaska • California • Connecticut • District Of Columbia • Delaware • Iowa • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Kentucky • Massachusetts • Maryland • Maine • Michigan • Minnesota • Montana • Nebraska • North Dakota • New Hampshire • New Jersey • Ohio • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • Utah • Vermont • Washington • Wisconsin • West Virginia • Wyoming)

• Canada: (Alberta • British Columbia • Manitoba • New Brunswick • Newfoundland and Labrador • Northwest Territories • Nova Scotia • Nunavut • Ontario • Prince Edward Island • Quebec • Saskatchewan)

Flight season

The sedge sprite is most active through mid May to early September.

Habits

This species of damselfly has relatively narrow wings that are held above the abdomen when at rest. It will perch on many emergent plants.

Similar species

Sedge sprites are similar to sphagnum sprites and southern sprites.

References

• NHL Sedge Sprite
• Nehalennia irene, Sedge Sprite, Family Coenagrionidae
• Sedge Sprite - Nehalennia irene
• Nehalennia irene (Sedge Sprite)