Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum
A medium-small damselfly, very similar to Common Blue and Azure Damselflies. Great care should be taken in identifying this species, especially if you think you have found one away from the only known regular sites, Grantham Canal and Priory Water. Mature females have blue and green forms, and a dark form that is virtually indistinguishable from Azure. Males can be told from other male blue damselflies with careful study of the features below:
1. Broad U-shaped marking on segment 2, joined to segment 3 on 'stalk'. Very variable.
2. Narrow, incomplete antehumeral stripes (often looks like exclamation mark).
3. More black than blue on segment 9 (variable; often more extensive than shown here).
4. Extensive black on segments 6 and 7, but usually less than Azure.
Status of Variable Damselfly in Leicestershire & Rutland
Number of occupied 2km grid squares in Leicestershire & Rutland, up to the end of 2004: 15/720
Within Leicestershire & Rutland this species is virtually confined to the Grantham Canal; historic records include just three unverified records from other sites to the east of the Leicestershire.
Variable Damselfly can be found in large numbers along the Grantham Canal during the flight season and it is unclear why it is not present at |
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Distribution Map
Variable Damselfly 2004 |
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| other similar sites. A series of records from Priory Water in the Wreake Valley from 2005 to at least 2007 suggests that there is another colony in this region of Leicestershire. |
Variable Damselfly Habitat
It is difficult to pinpoint an definitive habitat type for this enigmatic species, as there are many examples throughout its patchy distribution in the UK where the species is inexplicably absent from seemingly suitable habitat adjacent to existing colonies. It would appear that still water with luxuriant emergent vegetation is one requirement.
Flight period of Variable Damselfly
Variable Damselfly Photo Gallery
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