Azure Damselfly

Description

Common and widespread Damselfly species.

Male: blue and black; ‘U’ shaped marking below the base of the wings.

Female: green and black.

 

 

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Species GroupDamselflies
Scientific NameCoenagrion puella
Status & Distribution

Very common throughout England, Wales, and the lowlands of south/central Scotland. Distribution is growing and spreading north in Scotland.

Habitat

Small ponds and streams, and at the edges of larger water bodies.

Flight PeriodAzure Damselfly
Adult Identification
  • Length: 33mm
  • Two thin antehumeral stripe on the back of the thorax.
  • Coenagrion spur present (black line extending part way along the side of the thorax)
  • Male: blue and black; flat-bottomed “U” shaped mark on segment 2 (just below the wing base).
  • Female: green and black; rare form has blue markings on the abdomen also.

 

Larval Information

Spotting on the back of the head.

Caudal lamellae slighted pointed (distinguishes it from Variable Damselfly).

Threats
  • Pollution.
  • Introduction of fish.
  • Removal of wetland vegetation.
  • Excessive dredging.
  • Drainage and removal of ponds and ditches.
Management

Maintain areas of emergent vegetation as well as submerged and floating vegetation within the water.

Similar Species

Can be easily confused with other damselflies of the Genus Coenagrion and with the Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum.

To separate this species look for the following features:

  • Coenagrion spur
  • Thin antehumeral stripes
  • Males:’U’ shaped marking
  • Females: pronotum shape and abdomen markings

Similar Species

Common Blue Damselfly
Variable Damselfly
Southern Damselfly