Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyiathigerum
A medium-small damselfly. Mature females have three colour forms: blue, 'brown' (which is often yellowish-orange) and typical (greenish), and all show a distinctive patterning of black unlike the other blue damselflies.
Males have only one thin black stripe on the side of the thorax, unlike Azure or Variable; they can be further told from other male blue damselflies with careful study of the features below:
1. Club-shaped marking on segment 2, joined to segment 3 by 'stalk'.
2. Broad blue antehumeral stripes.
3. Segment 9 all blue (no black marking).
4. More blue than others on segments 6 and 7 - black on segment 6 arrow-shaped.
Status of Common Blue Damselfly in Leicestershire & Rutland
Number of occupied 2km grid squares in Leicestershire & Rutland, up to the end of 2004: 224/720
Another species widely distributed in Leicestershire & Rutland.
Historic records suggest that this species has always been widespread. |
|
Distribution Map
Common Blue Damselfly 2004 |
|
Common Blue Damselfly Habitat
Often abundant at a variety of widespread habitats, the Common Blue Damselfly favours open water habitat such as large ponds, lakes, canals and rivers.
Flight period of Common Blue Damselfly
Common Blue Damselfly Photo Gallery
|
