Coastal BC Insects: Tule Bluet

Tule Bluet

Our natural swimming pool behind the cabin attracts more than Wayne and me. Floating around in my inflated chair called Utopia I see lots of interesting things: bullfrog pollywogs, water striders, trout, bullhead, garter snakes, even an occasional river otter.

During a recent swim I saw a beautiful Tule Bluet Damselfly. This damselfly is found near lakes and ponds along the coast from British Columbia to Mexico.

Male Tule Bluet Damselfly

It has the distinctive thin abdomen of the damselfly. Based on the blue colour, this is a male. Females are paler or greenish-yellow.

Tule Bluet in a carnivorous Sundew.

Adult Tule Bluet Damselflies eat soft bodied insects including mosquitoes. That's another critter in our arsenal against those biting insects. But around my pool they have to be careful. Carnivorous Sundew plants love to catch them in their sticky traps.

Mating Tule Bluet Damselflies

After mating, the male grasps onto the female to protect her while she lays her eggs under the water.

If you are near a lake, pond or calm stream from May through October, keep your eyes open for Tule Bluet Damselflies. -- Margy