Adults have a steely blue body area but juveniles are yellow with brown stripes.

Wings of both sexes are marked with prominent black basal bands.

Adult males develop broad white spots at midwing as they mature.

This species can be found commonly across the United States (except in the higher Rocky Mountains areas) and in southern Ontario and Quebec.

[5] This species is found commonly in muddy substrates, or still bodies of waters such as ponds, lakes, streams, and creeks.