Fiery-eyed Dancer

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Identification

Mature males are dark metallic green to blue with conspicuous red eyes and pale terminal abdominal markings.

Direct light reveals the mature male's red eyes and wine-colored thoracic dorsum; in shade the body can look nearly black. A second image should show the pale terminal markings because red eye color alone is not a complete identification.

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Documented range

The checklist places Fiery-eyed Dancer from Baja California, Arizona and Texas south to Panama.

Arizona and Texas are the supported U.S. states; 'Baja California' is in Mexico and must not be converted into a California record. Occurrence elsewhere in the Southwest would be exceptional.

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Habitat & flight period

Rocky rivers and streams in warm foothills, often where shaded banks alternate with sunlit riffles.

Warm-season searches are most productive, but current regional records should guide expectations for this range-edge species.

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Finding strategy

Scan dark bank-side perches from an angle that catches the eyes. Photograph the terminal abdomen and thoracic sheen as well as the red eye.

Search rocky streams and rivers in warm Arizona or Texas foothills, especially where shaded bank perches face a sunny riffle. Change viewing angle rather than approaching closely to bring the metallic green-blue surface color into view.

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Similar species

Other dark dancers can look similar in shade, but the eye color plus complete abdominal pattern is diagnostic when seen well.

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Photography in the field

Expose from the dark body rather than the bright water; a slight change in angle can turn metallic surface color from black to green-blue.

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