Dusky Dancer

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Identification

Mature males are charcoal to black with purple-blue on the thorax and terminal abdominal segments; females are brown to blue-gray.

Mature males become charcoal to black with purple-blue on the thorax and abdominal tip, while females and teneral males remain browner or gray-blue. That age transformation explains why the same population can appear to contain two very different dancers.

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Documented range

Dusky Dancer ranges from Arizona, Kansas, Ontario and Maine south to Argentina, Suriname, Mississippi and Georgia.

Within the Southwest, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas are supported, with the strongest fit along rivers and larger streams. It should not be described as a general California, Colorado, Nevada or Utah species.

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Habitat & flight period

Rivers, rocky streams and larger flowing channels with sunny perches and slower edge water.

Most records occur in the warm months; emergence begins earlier on low desert rivers than on upland streams.

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Finding strategy

Search broad sunlit banks, bridge crossings and cobble edges. A resting male often holds its wings slightly spread and returns to an exposed perch.

Check sunlit banks, cobble bars and bridge crossings on flowing water. Record the amount of pale color at the tip and the thoracic surface; shade can make Dusky, Sooty and even heavily pruinose dancers look alike.

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Similar species

Sooty and Powdered Dancers are also dark. Compare thoracic pruinescence, abdominal pattern and the extent of pale color at the tip.

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Photography in the field

Underexpose only enough to protect water highlights; excessive correction turns the dark abdomen into featureless black.

Protect the water edge, keep a working distance, and leave the insect and its perch as found.