




Argia tibialis
The Blue-tipped Dancer is a beautiful dragonfly with bright blue tips on its wings. It flits around ponds and streams, dancing in the air as it hunts for tiny insects to eat.
Habitat: Wetlands
The Blue-tipped Dancer has a slender, dark body, often appearing black or dark brown. Males are distinct with a bright sky-blue tip on their abdomen, while females are duller. Its four clear, delicate wings are held together above its back when at rest.





Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
16
Before they fly, Blue-tipped Dancers live underwater as nymphs for months or even years!
If a predator tries to grab them, they might shed a leg to escape, which is pretty wild!
Male Blue-tipped Dancers flash their bright blue tails to attract mates, like a tiny signal light!
They can perch very still, but are always ready to zoom after a tasty mosquito!
Blue-tipped Dancer has huge compound eyes that help them see almost all around, spotting tiny flying snacks or sneaky predators.
Blue-tipped Dancer can dart, hover, and even fly backwards using its strong wings, helping them catch food and escape danger.
Blue-tipped Dancer has tiny spines on its legs that help them create a 'basket' to scoop up small insects mid-air, making hunting super effective.
These tiny hunters eat small flying insects, keeping pesky bugs away from watery places.
Age differences: Nymphs eat aquatic invertebrates; adults eat flying insects.

Lithobates catesbeianus
Adults can be eaten by hungry frogs near water's edge.
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Tyrannus tyrannus
Birds snatch them from the air as a quick, protein-rich snack.
Culex pipiens
They help control mosquito populations by catching them in flight.
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
No aliases listed yet.
Danger
1/5 · Very low
It's safe to watch dragonflies, but don't try to catch them. They are delicate creatures.
The easiest way to identify Blue-tipped Dancer is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
30-40 mm
25-35 mm
365-730 days
15 km/h
These tiny hunters eat small flying insects, keeping pesky bugs away from watery places.
Wetlands
Pursuit
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Jun 7, 2026
Locust Grove State Historic SitePhoto attribution
(c) Brandon Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 7, 2026
Locust Grove State Historic SitePhoto attribution
(c) Brandon Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 7, 2026
Locust Grove State Historic SitePhoto attribution
(c) Brandon Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 6, 2026
Hocking Valley Scenic Railway Historic DistrictPhoto attribution
(c) Anna Hess, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.

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