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Boreal Bluet
Insects diurnal

Boreal Bluet

Enallagma boreale

A flash of brilliant azure against the green of the marsh, the Boreal Bluet is a master of the northern wetlands. This delicate damselfly is a welcome visitor to any garden pond, bringing both beauty and mosquito control to your backyard.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Total length of 28-37 mm (1.1-1.5 inches); wingspan approximately 35-45 mm (1.4-1.8 inches)

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Colors

Males are a brilliant sky-blue with black abdominal rings; females are duller, often appearing pale green, tan, or light blue with heavy black markings along the top of the abdomen.

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Key Features

  • Mushroom-shaped black spot on the second abdominal segment
  • Large, blue teardrop-shaped spots behind the eyes
  • Vibrant blue and black striped abdomen
  • Delicate, clear wings held folded over the back at rest

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal
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Peak hours 10 AM - 4 PM
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Season May-August
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Diet Predatory; adults catch small flying insects like mosquitoes, midges, and aphids in mid-air. Nymphs (larvae) live underwater and eat mosquito larvae and tiny crustaceans.
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Habitat Lakes, ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams, especially those with plenty of emergent vegetation. They are common visitors to backyard garden ponds.

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Behavior

The Boreal Bluet is a highly active and territorial damselfly commonly found around still water. Unlike the more powerful dragonflies, the Boreal Bluet has a fluttery, delicate flight pattern, staying close to the water's surface or within the protective cover of shoreline vegetation. They are often seen 'perching' on vertical stalks of grass or reeds, where they wait to ambush small flying insects.

Socially, they are most conspicuous during mating, where pairs can be seen flying in 'tandem'—the male clasping the female by the back of the head. This species is particularly hardy and is often one of the first damselflies to emerge in the spring in northern climates. They are harmless to humans and are actually beneficial to have in a backyard, as they act as natural pest controllers by eating hundreds of small flies and mosquitoes.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Boreal Bluet on camera requires focusing on their 'landing zones.' These damselflies are habitual perchers; they return to the same sun-drenched reeds or twigs repeatedly to rest and survey their territory. Position your camera 12-18 inches away from a tall piece of vegetation that stands out from the rest. Using a macro lens or a camera with a close-focusing distance is essential, as these insects are too small for standard wide-angle trail cameras to capture in detail.

To get the best AI recognition, lighting is critical. The Boreal Bluet’s vibrant blue can appear washed out in direct mid-day sun, but the AI needs high contrast to identify the black 'mushroom' markings on the abdomen. Try to angle your camera so the sun is behind it, illuminating the damselfly’s body from the front. If you are using a trigger-based system, set the sensitivity to its highest level, as the movement of a tiny damselfly may not always trip standard PIR sensors. Many experts find that setting the camera to 'time-lapse' mode during the peak hours of 11 AM to 2 PM is more effective than relying on motion triggers.

You can 'bait' a location for the Boreal Bluet by creating the ideal habitat within your camera's field of view. Place a few tall, sturdy bamboo stakes or natural reeds in a shallow, sunny part of a pond. These insects prefer perches that are slightly higher than the surrounding vegetation so they can see approaching predators or prey. Ensure there is no wind-blown foliage in the background that might cause false triggers, and you’ll likely capture stunning footage of their intricate wing movements and social interactions.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Boreal Bluet.

Northern Bluet

Virtually identical; requires close inspection of the male's tail appendages, which are smaller and more pointed in the Northern species.

Familiar Bluet

The Familiar Bluet usually has more blue than black on the middle segments of the abdomen compared to the Boreal.

Tule Bluet

Tule Bluets typically have much larger black markings on the abdomen, often appearing more black than blue from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Boreal Bluet are most active during the warmest part of the day, typically between 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun is brightest and their insect prey is most active.
The best way to attract them is by installing a small garden pond with plenty of 'emergent' plants like sedges or irises, which they use for perching and laying eggs.
They are carnivorous hunters that primarily eat small flying insects like gnats, mosquitoes, and aphids. Their aquatic larvae eat mosquito larvae underwater.
Yes, they are very common in suburban areas throughout North America, provided there is a nearby source of still or slow-moving water like a park pond or backyard water feature.
They are nearly identical! The main difference is in the male's appendages (cerci) at the end of the tail; the Boreal Bluet has slightly larger, blunt appendages, but a high-resolution photo is usually needed to see this.

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