Butterflies, Moths, Dragonflies & Damselflies of Dayton, Ohio

AURORA DAMSEL

This is an Aurora Damsel. I searched for this species for years and finally found several individuals at Hocking Hills on May 10, 2025. These damselflies are much more common in eastern and northern Ohio. We have a few records in southwestern Ohio, but they are very scarce in this part of the state. Aurora Damsels typically fly from late April through June. 

Aurora Damsels have a distinctive black shape on the top of the thorax, shown here. It looks somewhat like a Gummi Bear, as others have noted. 

Aurora Damsels often hold their wings partially spread out like a spreadwing. The first time I saw this species, I thought it was some type of spreadwing, until I noticed the yellow on the side of the thorax.