Timothy Lake, Mt Hood, Oregon
Tule Bluet eating a bug. West Eugene Wetlands, Lane Co., Oregon
Comment. Identification of Bluets is difficult in the field. Inspection of the male abdominal appendages is usually necessary. Dennis Paulson suggests the following field marks.
| Species | Abdomen | Appendages | Other |
| Tule (E. carunculatum) | More black than blue on middle segments | Superior longer than inferior | Widespread, low elevation |
| Boreal (E. boreale) | More blue than black | Superior shorter than inferior | Widespread, higher elevation |
| Northern (E. cyathigerum) | More blue than black | Superior shorter than inferior | Widespread |
| Alkali (E. clausum) | More blue than black | Superior and inferior about equal. Pointed in side view. | Larger than Marsh, E WA & SE OR |
| Marsh (E. ebrium) | More blue than black | Superior and inferior about equal. Superior forked in side view. | . |
| Familiar (E. civile) | . | . | SW and SE OR |
| Taiga (C. resolutum) | More blue than black. Black U on second segment. | Superior and inferior about equal. Superior forked in side view. | Greenish tinge to thorax. |