Red-eyed Damselfly

Most common in central and southern England, and the Welsh Borders. Absent in Scotland. It has increased in occupancy in England since 1982 and in Wales since 2006.

Found in lakes, gravel pits, canals and slow-flowing rivers.

The males often sit on water lily leaves defending their leaf from other males.

• Length: 35mm
• pale pterostigma (wing spots)
• mostly black in colouration.
• Male: red eyes. Abdomen segments 1 (top) and 9-10 (bottom) are blue.
• Female: brown-red eyes. Abdomen dark on top and green on the bottom. Short yellow antehumeral stripes on the back of the thorax.

Long abdomen but medium-sized caudal lamellae and a small head.

Distinctive nodal notch on the caudal lamellae and three dark bands.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly

• smaller
• male: black x mark on the end of the abdomen
• female: has complete antehumeral stripes on the thorax

Blue-tailed Damselfly

• eyes lack red colouration
• colour banding on abdomen higher up on segment 8.

Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly

• eyes lack red colouration
• colour banding on abdomen higher up on segment 8 and 9.