The sedge sprite (Nehalennia irene) is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae.
| Sedge sprite | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Suborder: | Zygoptera |
| Family: | Coenagrionidae |
| Genus: | Nehalennia |
| Species: | N. irene
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| Binomial name | |
| Nehalennia irene (Hagen, 1861)
| |
Identification
editOn 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
editThe sedge sprite feeds on insects. This damselfly flight pattern is low, in and out of vegetation away from open water.
Size
editThe sedge sprite is a rather small damselfly in size. It has an average length of 1-1.5 inches (25-38 millimeters).
Habitat
editThe sedge sprite is usually found along vernal pools, marshes and grassy ponds.
Distribution
edit- 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
editThe sedge sprite is most active through mid May to early September.
Habits
editThis 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
editSedge sprites are similar to sphagnum sprites and southern sprites.