Description: This species is highly variable. The eyes of males are green below and black above with blue post-ocular spots. The thorax is green with black stripes. The first 4 or 5 abdominal segments are rusty red, the next 2 or 3 segments are black and end segments are red, forming a red tip. Immature males may show more extensive black segments. The eyes of females are greenish. Thorax green with blue stripes. The abdomen can be extremely variable, but overall it shows the same distinctive color pattern of male. Immature females have eyes that are green below, red above. Thorax orange with yellow stripes.
Size: Male Total length: 25-36 mm; abdomen: 22-30 mm; hindwing: 12-18 mm. Female Total length: 27-34 mm; abdomen: 23-29 mm; hindwing: 14-18 mm.
Similar Species Lucifer Swampdamsel (Leptobasis lucifer) has a red-tipped abdomen, but lacks red on the first 4 or 5 abdominal segments. Cream-tipped Swampdamsel (Leptobasis melinogaster) has a cream-colored abdomen tip and lacks red at the base.
Habitat: The species is widely distributed and inhabits a variety of habitats. It is generally found in shaded pools in slow-flowing streams or forested ponds, with herbaceous vegetation.
Natural History: This is a widely-distributed species; in Texas has been recorded in Hidalgo County, near the Mexican border. In Mexico has been recorded in the coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic.
Distribution: Southern Texas, USA, Mexico south through Ecuador and Antilles.
Source:
Garrison, R.W. and N. Von Ellenrieder. 2010. Redefinition of Leptobasis Selys whit the synonymy of Chrysobasis Rácenis and description of L. mauffrayi sp nov, from Peru (Odonata: Coenagrionidae). Zootaxa 2438: 1-36.
Lasley, G. W. and J. C. Abbott. 2009. Two new damselflies for Texas. Argia 21: 17-18.
