Damsels

All of these species are limited by habitat. Aurora Damsel and Eastern Red Damsel both have a geographic orientation - more South-Easterly. The Aurora Damsel male has a distinct bottle shape on the top of their thorax and no shoulder stripe. Both males and females have yellow on at least the lower half of their thorax. The Red Damsel is distinctly red.

Sprites

Sprites occupy unique wetland niches and are often very restricted in range at sites where they are found.

Photo ID tip for Sprites: Sprites are really small, metallic green damselflies. Try to get a side profile shot and then a close up shot of the top of the “neck” (prothorax) in females or a side shot of the male terminal appendages. If they will not cooperate for the above shots, you can try gently netting them and hold by the wings.

Firetails

Although Duckweed Firetail had been found across the river in West Virginia, it has only recently been discovered near Cincinnati. Watch out for further expansion of this species in Southern Ohio. The Duckweed Firetail males have less black on their thorax compared to the Red Damsel.