Azure Damselfly, Coenagrion puella
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Size
Small; body length 20mm to 30mm.
Colour-patterning
Males are black with blue patterning. There is a pair of blue bands on the thorax behind the eyes. The abdomen is essentially blue with individual segments having a black band across their posterior margin although the seventh segment is almost entirely black and the eighth segment entirely blue. Characteristically the second abdominal segment is patterned with a black U shape and the blue ninth abdominal segment has a black encircling crown posteriorly. Females have the same thoracic patterning as the males but their abdomens are predominantly black with a very thin blue line down both flanks. It lacks the inverted U of the male.
Behaviour
The Azure Damselfly spends much of its time resting and sunning itself on waterside vegetation. It has a rather weak flight and flies close over the water surface, often settling periodically on surface vegetation. It will leave the breeding grounds for considerable periods of time as it forages over the surrounding areas. Mating takes place on vegetation and eggs are laid on floating vegetation whilst the pair is in tandem.
Where to look for it
This is probably the most common damselfly in Plymouth and occurs almost anywhere where there is still or slow-flowing water and plenty of marginal vegetation. It is the first damselfly to adopt garden ponds.
Distribution and status
Very common and widespread.
When to look for it
Early May to early September although individuals are not uncommonly found outside these dates.
Similar species
It is very easy to confuse the Azure Damselfly with the Common Blue Damselfly, Enallagma cyathigera, and the two can only be separated when viewed at close quarters. The black U pattern of the second abdominal segment and the black crown around the ninth abdominal segment are diagnostic for male Azure Damselflies. Females are even harder to distinguish but, typically, the last abdominal segment of the Azure Damselfly is a clear blue.