Northern Damselfly

This species is restricted in the UK to sedge-fringed lochans in the Scottish Highlands.

Rare and local.

This species is restricted in the UK to the Scottish Highlands.

This is a Red Data Book species.

Common Blue Damselfly

• No coenagrion spur.
• Thicker antehumeral stripes on the thorax.
• Male has button shaped marking instead of a spade shape.

Azure Damselfly

• Male has U shaped marking instead of a spade shape.
• Females are blue or partly blue and have more black coloration on the abdomen.

This species is easily confused with the other members of the genus Coenagrion and with the Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum . Look at S2 (on the males) for distinguishing characters. Northern Damselfly is a weak flyer and has a very restricted range. The females can be particularly tricky to distinguish apart.

• Length: 31mm
• Green on the underside.
• Coenagrion spur.
• Male: blue and black. ♠ “spades” symbol at top of abdomen (varies). 2 small black spots on segment 9 near the bottom of the abdomen.
• Female: clear green from the side but mostly black from above.

Length: 14-15mm

Antennae with 6 segments and prominent spotting on the head. Caudal lamellae long and narrow with distinct, dark nodal constriction and dark nodal line.