Damselflies

I am certain you all have seen these delicate and beautiful damselflies along small stream and river banks. The ones I like most are characterized by their blueblack wings and dark metallic body coloration. These have a metallic greengold stripe along the lateral sides of the thorax and along the lateral sides of the abdomen that provides a unique contrast in colors. They are typically seen along small streams, flitting about in the sunlight. They often rest on sun exposed leaves, branches and other nearby structures.

 They are called Blackwinged Damselflies and belong to the general group of broadwinged damselflies of the family Calopterygidae.

Just as you are carefully moving along the streams in search of trout, perhaps using a mayfly or other small insect pattern, the Blackwinged Damsels are also hunting. They are predators and capture small bugs typically on the wing along these streams. They perch frequently on vegetation to rest and observe prey along the stream. If you sit quietly for a spell, they will land on you or your rod. The picture above was taken this past June on a small stream near Ishpeming, in the Upper Peninsula. In just a few moments, a number flitted along the banks, landing frequently within easy reach. Taking time to observe these beautiful creatures our Creator has provided is a nice way to become integrated into the streamside experience.

Blackwinged Damselflies spend their whole life in and around these small streams. As larvae, they crawl in the submerged vegetation in areas outside of fast currents, capturing small insects and even the very smallest fish. They have long spindly legs and a long thin body, ideally adapted for stealthy navigating the watercress beds in streams like the Timber Coulee and Pine. I am certain trout also feed on these damsels, probably when they are larvae. Fly patterns have been designed for closely related damsels such as the Great Olive Damselfly Nymph to mimic the American Ruby Spot Damsel larvae for use by fishers of trout and smallmouth bass. Remember as you enjoy our Wisconsin and UP streams in search of trout - take the time to pick up rocks and look at bugs.