# Rambur's Forktail (*Ischnura ramburii*) Rambur's Forktail is a tiny dragonfly that loves to flutter around water. With its bright blue body and delicate wings, it is a beautiful sight to see near ponds and streams. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 8 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Rambur's Forktail](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rambur's_Forktail_-_Ischnura_ramburii%252C_Long_Pine_Key%252C_Everglades_National_Park%252C_Homestead%252C_Florida_%2839143618862%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rambur's_Forktail_-_Ischnura_ramburii%252C_Long_Pine_Key%252C_Everglades_National_Park%252C_Homestead%252C_Florida_%2839143618862%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Rambur's Forktail is a slender damselfly, with males often displaying a vibrant blue thorax and abdomen, contrasted by black segments. Females can vary from greenish to orange or blue. Its distinctive two-toned wing spots and the male's forked tail-end help distinguish it. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Coenagrionidae - **Genus:** Ischnura ## Interesting facts - Damselflies like this can rotate their heads almost 180 degrees to look around! - They have nearly 360-degree vision, seeing almost everything around them! - Unlike dragonflies, damselflies often hold their wings folded together over their back when resting. - Young Rambur's Forktails live underwater as fierce, gilled predators! ## Special abilities - **Underwater Survivor:** Rambur's Forktail larvae can breathe underwater using special gills because this adaptation helps them thrive as aquatic predators before becoming adults. - **Quick-Change Artist:** Rambur's Forktail females can be several different colors, like green, orange, or blue, which helps them avoid unwanted attention from males. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-45 mm - **Size:** 25-35 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 5-15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Rambur's Forktails are tiny insect hunters, using their agility to catch small flying prey. - **Age differences:** Larvae are aquatic predators, eating tiny water insects; adults hunt flying insects in the air. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitos, gnats, small flies, aphids - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Adult damselflies can become a meal for hungry birds. - **Eaten by:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — Their aquatic larvae are prey for many fish species. - **Hunts:** Common House Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — Adults actively catch and eat various small flying insects. - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Adult damselflies can be snapped up by hungry frogs. ## Traits - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle and quiet when watching dragonflies so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Rambur's Forktail? 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. ### What is Rambur's Forktail's wingspan? 30-45 mm ### How big is Rambur's Forktail? 25-35 mm ### How long does Rambur's Forktail live? 20-60 days ### How fast can Rambur's Forktail fly? 5-15 km/h ### What does Rambur's Forktail eat? Rambur's Forktails are tiny insect hunters, using their agility to catch small flying prey. ### Where is Rambur's Forktail usually found? Wetlands ### How does Rambur's Forktail hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Harry P. Leu Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harry-p-leu-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Houston Arboretum and Nature Center](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/houston-arboretum-and-nature-center) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Secessionville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/secessionville-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Algiers Point](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/algiers-point) — Louisiana, US · Neighborhood - [Audubon Insectarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-insectarium) — Louisiana, US · Zoo - [Cape May Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cape-may-historic-district) — New Jersey, US · Historic District [View all places to see Rambur's Forktail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/ramburs-forktail) ## 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: [Rambur's Forktail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ramburs-forktail)