Amphiagrion abbreviatum (Western Red Damsel)

BC conservation rank: S4. Yellow List.
Description: Males are red, the thorax black on top. Females are all red or orange. Length: male 26 mm, female 27 mm.
Global Range: : British Columbia east to Saskatchewan, south to New Mexico and Baja California (Westfall and May 1996). Faunal element: Western (see Appendix 2).
BC Distribution: From the Prince George area south.
Biology: : Amphiagrion can be common in scattered localities at low and mid elevations in BC's southern valleys. In the region we have defined as northern BC, there is a single record west of Prince George. This damselfly lives in marshy places with plenty of grasses and sedges: shallow ponds, sloughs, spring-fed pools and slow streams; the Eleocharis palustris site association (Wm04) is typical. Adults fly close to the ground and perch frequently in low vegetation.
BC flight period: early May to early October; most records are from early May to early August.

Amphiagrion abbreviatum mating. Photograph: George Doeerksen, RBCM

Amphiagrion abbreviatum Map 1. Geographical distribution and seasonal abundance of records in British Columbia.

Amphiagrion abbreviatum Map 2. Geographical distribution of records in British Columbia before and after organized surveys began in 1996.

Amphiagrion abbreviatum Map 3. Frequency of records in British Columbia by NTS 1/50,000 mapsheet.

Amphiagrion abbreviatum Map 4. Frequency of collection localities in British Columbia by NTS 1/50,000 mapsheet.