Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Beneficial Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Similar Insects
Icon about
Popular Insects
California dancer

California dancer

Argia agrioides

A species of Dancers

The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1895 by Calvert.

General Info About California dancer
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of California dancer
Colors
Brown
Blue
Purple
Habitat
wetland
Adult Food Sources
Flying insects, mosquitoes, flies, mayflies, moths
Larva Food Source
Aquatic invertebrates, mosquito larvae, small fish fry, tadpoles, other small aquatic organisms
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
The California dancer typically preys on other arthropods and does not directly affect plants.
Biting animal or pet
Yes
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Species Status of California dancer
It is native from Oregon south through California to Arizona, as well as adjacent parts of Mexico.
Rectangle
Distribution Area of California dancer
California to Arizona, Mexico
Rectangle
Life Cycle of California dancer
Egg After oviposition, the eggs of california dancer develop and hatch. The eggs are typically laid in or near water and are usually oval and small in size, often blending with the substrate.
Naiad The california dancer naiads, referred to as naiads, are aquatic and undergo several molts. They resemble the adults but lack wings and have external gills for respiration. Their primary focus is on feeding and growth.
Subimago This transitional stage is unique to Odonata. The california dancer emerges from the water and molts into a subimago, which has wings but is not yet reproductively mature. The subimago is usually duller in color.
Adult The adult california dancer exhibits vibrant colors and fully developed wings for flight. Maturity brings about sexual dimorphism, with males and females often exhibiting different colors and patterns for courtship and species identification.
Rectangle
Adult Size of California dancer
2.5 - 3.5 cm
Rectangle
Predators of California dancer Larvae
Frogs and toads, aquatic beetles, fish, other dragonfly larvae, birds, turtles
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of California dancer
Tips for Finding California dancer
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of California dancer
Freshwater Habitats
Rectangle
Adult Habitat of California dancer
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Freshwater Habitats, Savannas, Mangroves and Coastal Wetlands
Rectangle
How Can You Attract California dancer
Not applicable, as trapping california dancer with food is not commonly practiced or effective due to their predatory nature and specific diet at different stages of life.
Rectangle
Habitat Preferences of California dancer Through Different Life Stages
The naiad stage of california dancer is aquatic and typically found in slow-moving streams with abundant aquatic vegetation. Searching for these naiads involves carefully overturning rocks and inspecting underwater plants in such habitats. As they metamorphose into adults, california dancer are predominantly found near the edges of the same water bodies or in nearby vegetated areas. Adult california dancer, with their aerial habits, are often observed perching on foliage or darting above the water surface, hunting for prey. Locating adults would likely entail visits to streamside habitats with an abundance of plant life where these insects can rest and feed.
Rectangle
When is the Best Time to Observe California dancer
Early morning or late afternoon are typically the best times to find adult california dancer, as they are less active and may be perched on vegetation or basking in the sun. naiads can be searched for throughout the day in their aquatic habitats.
Are California dancer harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Beneficial Effects of California dancer
Discover the hidden benefits of insects
Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
Download the App for Free
Predators of Pests
Predators of Pests
Stage
Adults, Naiads
Purpose
Feed Itself
As both an aerial and aquatic predator, california dancer exhibits fascinating foraging behavior. During its naiad stage, california dancer is an aquatic hunter, relentlessly pursuing waterborne organisms. Transitioning to adulthood, california dancer takes to the skies, capturing prey mid-flight with remarkable precision. Its diet shifts to include various terrestrial insects, thereby significantly reducing those populations. California dancer's predatory habits are a natural check on pests, underlying its ecological importance.
Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow