# Aurora Damsel (*chromagrion conditum*) The Aurora Damsel (Chromagrion conditum) is a striking and unique damselfly native to eastern North America. As the sole member of its genus, it stands out not only taxonomically but also through its beautiful coloration and distinct posture. While most pond damselflies rest with their wings folded tightly over their backs, the Aurora Damsel frequently perches with its wings held partially open at a forty-five-degree angle. They are typically found near clean, shaded wetlands, slow-moving streams, and spring-fed seeps, where they play a vital role in controlling small insect populations. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Found near spring-fed streams, shaded seeps, fens, and slow-moving boggy channels in forested areas. ![Aurora Damsel](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/20280572/medium.jpg) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/20280572) ## Appearance The Aurora Damsel is a medium-sized damselfly measuring between 3 and 4 centimeters in length. It is easily recognized by its vibrant color pattern, featuring bright, glowing yellow-orange sides on its thorax that contrast with a black and bright blue top. The male's abdomen is mostly black with a conspicuous bright blue tip on segments eight and nine. Its wings are clear and slender, and unlike other pond damsels, they are often held half-open when at rest. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Coenagrionidae - **Genus:** Chromagrion ## Interesting facts - It is the only species in the genus Chromagrion, making it a taxonomically unique member of the pond damselfly family. - The common name 'Aurora' refers to the bright, sunrise-like yellow coloration on the sides of its thorax. - While most pond damselflies hold their wings closed when resting, the Aurora Damsel holds them half-open, mimicking spreadwing damselflies. ## Special abilities - **Angled Wing Perching:** Unlike most members of its family who fold their wings completely, this species rests with its wings held partially open, aiding in thermoregulation and rapid takeoff. - **360-Degree Vision:** Equipped with large, spherical compound eyes, it can detect the slightest movement of prey or predators in almost any direction. - **Aquatic Gill Breathing:** In its larval nymph stage, it utilizes three caudal gills at the tip of its abdomen to extract oxygen directly from water. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 3+ cm - **Wingspan:** 4+ cm - **Weight:** 0.00005+ kg - **Lifespan:** 1+ years - **Speed:** 15 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 100+ - **Incubation:** 10+ days ## Diet & Feeding Both the aquatic nymphs and aerial adults are opportunistic predators, feeding heavily on small insects and other invertebrates. - **Age differences:** Nymphs hunt underwater for aquatic larvae and tiny crustaceans, while adults hunt in the air for flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** Mosquitoes, Midges, Small flies, Mayflies, Aquatic insect larvae - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Green Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-frog) (*Lithobates clamitans*) — Larval and adult Aurora Damsels are common prey for frogs residing in the same wetland habitats. - **Hunts:** Common Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Adult Aurora Damsels actively catch and consume midges in flight along stream banks. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Phoebe](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-phoebe) (*Sayornis phoebe*) — This flycatcher preys on adult damselflies, including the Aurora Damsel, near stream corridors. ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Aurora Damsel? Compare wing shape and resting posture, where the eyes sit, body markings and the tail segments. Males and females can look very different in color. Dragonfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Aurora Damsel? 3+ cm ### What is Aurora Damsel's wingspan? 4+ cm ### How much does Aurora Damsel weigh? 0.00005+ kg ### How long does Aurora Damsel live? 1+ years ### How fast can Aurora Damsel move? 15 km/h ### What does Aurora Damsel eat? Both the aquatic nymphs and aerial adults are opportunistic predators, feeding heavily on small insects and other invertebrates. ### Where is Aurora Damsel usually found? Found near spring-fed streams, shaded seeps, fens, and slow-moving boggy channels in forested areas. ## Where to spot - [Days Ferry Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/days-ferry-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Dayville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dayville-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [East Plymouth Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-plymouth-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Randolph Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/randolph-center-historic-district) — Vermont, US · Historic District - [Canoe Landing Prairie State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/canoe-landing-prairie-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park - [Triangle Lake Bog State Nature Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/triangle-lake-bog-state-nature-preserve) — Ohio, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Aurora Damsel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/aurora-damsel) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Aurora Damsel: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/aurora-damsel)