Enallagma civile
The Familiar Bluet is one of the most common and adaptable damselflies in open wetlands. Its slender body and narrow, folded wings give it the typical bluet profile, but its abundance and tolerance of disturbed habitats often make it the first species encountered around ponds and marsh edges.
Individuals perch lightly on grasses, sedges, and broad leaves, making short, fluttering flights before settling again. In bright conditions, the abdomen shows a clear pattern of blue and black segmentation, while females may appear in both blue and more subdued tan or warm-toned forms.
This species is especially associated with sunlit, still or slow-moving water, including ponds, ditches, and marsh margins. Its presence across a wide range of habitats makes it a useful reference point when comparing similar bluets.
For identification details and comparison with related species, see
the Enallagma civile in the Field Notes section.
Familiar Bluet
Blue-form female.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 200 • Aperture f/13 • Shutter 1/125
E21A1640 • Size: 1849x2773
Familiar Bluet
Blue-form female in sunlight.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 200 • Aperture f/13 • Shutter 1/125
E21A1516 • Size: 2048x1365
Familiar Bluet
Female with warm coloration.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 200 • Aperture f/13 • Shutter 1/125
E21A1646 • Size: 2048x1365
Familiar Bluet
Resting on a leaf above marsh vegetation.
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 200 • Aperture f/13 • Shutter 1/125
E21A1519 • Size: 2048x1365