Small Red-eyed Damselfly

Recent colonist (first records 1999).

Spread spectacularly through southeast England and the Isle of Wight in the years immediately following its first appearances.

Has now reached Devon in the west and North Yorkshire in the north, but expansion has slowed.

Found on ponds, lakes and ditches and sometimes on brackish water. It seems to be associated with floating vegetation such as Hornwort and Water Milfoil.

• Length: 29mm.
• Pale legs.
• Pale pterostigma (wing spots).
• Male: brown-red eyes. Black abdomen with a blue patch on segments 9-10 at the end of the abdomen with a black X on segment 10. Thin, often broken antehumeral stripes on the back of the thorax.
• Female: brown eyes. Only a small area of blue on segment 9-10. Bold antehumeral stripe on the back of the thorax.

Rounded caudal lamellae, each with three blotches.

Red-eyed Damselfly

• Larger
• Dark pterostigma (wing spots).
• Male: no antehumeral stripes on the back of the thorax.
• Female: broken antehumeral stripes on the back of the thorax.

Blue-tailed Damselfly

• Two-toned pterostigma (wing spots).
• Coloured abdomen spot higher up on segment 8.
• Complete antehumeral stripes on the back of the thorax.
• Males: eyes lack red colouration

Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly

• Two-toned pterostigma (wing spots).
• Coloured abdomen spot higher up on segments 8-9.
• Complete antehumeral stripes on the back of the thorax.
• Males: eyes lack red colouration