All other content of this site is copyright of the British Dragonfly Society except where explicitly stated otherwise. Main Differences between Dragonfly and Damselfly. It is on the wing from the end of May through to August. A medium-small damselfly. The Lestes account for most of the species. Most males have blue eyes, a blue and black thorax, black abdomen with a blue ringed tail. The picture that we posted was actually an azure damselfly, not a common blue damselfly. To identify the small blue damselflies, of which there are seven species in the UK, it helps to concentrate on the pattern on the second segment of the males' abdomen, just behind the thorax. Female common bluetail damselfly - Ischnura heterosticta. It regularly visits gardens - try digging a wildlife-friendly pond to attract damselflies and dragonflies. Dragonflies and damselflies are beautiful, graceful flying wetland creatures, belonging to the Odonata order of insects. However, its identification is made more complex by the existence of several closely-related species which, if not seen well, are very similar. The other common and similar damselfly, the Azure, has a much thinner stripe. The Common Bluetail Damselfly, found throughout the entire continent of Australia, is generally found near slow-running or still water. In Great Britain and Ireland there are over 20 species that may be encountered. Broad antehumeral stripes are present on the top of the thorax and the sides are solid blue. They are common through most of the Eastern United States. The Common Blue is about three centimetres long and is often seen on emerging plant stems, all facing the same way! Dragonfly is larger while damselfly are relatively smaller; Dragonfly have stockier bodies while damselfly have long and slender bodies The picture shows a Slender Spreadwing. Wings are usually clear except for a spot at the end of the wing called a stigma. On segment 2 there is a ‘lollipop’ shaped stalked black spot. Female: black and either blue or dull green with a thistle shaped mark on segment 2 (below the wing base). Segments 8 and 9 are all blue and segment 10 is black. The male is powder blue, the female usually green-marked, but some are blue- or yellow-patterned. Macro of a bluetail damselfly on a twig. These records are subject to verification by a local expert. Eyes are blue and legs black. Damselflies are insects in the sub-order Zygoptera (meaning “paired-wings”). There are 57 recorded species of dragonfly and damselflies in the UK. Swamp Bluet. A thistle shaped mark on segment 2 (below the wing base) and rocket shaped markings down the abdomen. Common blue damselfly. Mature male Blue-tailed damselfly or common bluetail or Ischnura Elegans resting on a green stem with wings held back together in Killarney Ireland Common Bluetail Damselfly perched on a grass leaf. Scientific name: Enallagma cyathigerum; Type: Insects; Key information The male has a blue abdomen with black spots; the female comes in two colour forms and is either blue or dull green. Blue Damselfly Vivid Dancer male Argia vivida Southern California. As with other damselflies, when common blues mate they form a 'mating wheel' in which the male clasps the female by the neck and she bends her body around to his reproductive organs. The British Dragonfly Society is a registered charity, number 1168300. The seemingly slow-motion movement of clouds across these earthen bulks is nothing short of mesmeric, their weightless forms interminably morphing, ceaselessly shape-shifting as they waft at the mercy of atmospheric currents. Summer is a great time for spotting insects on the wing in the British countryside – our expert guide explains how to identify and where to find common dragonflies, damselflies and demoiselles species. The Common Blue Damselfly Today the fells exude a ghostly feel as one great big mass of mist after the next moves in on them and swallows their uppermost parts. This species is common throughout Britain. The Common Blue Damselfly measures anywhere from 32 to 35 mm (1.3 to 1.4 in) in length. Beautiful demoiselle. It’s a stronger flier than other damsels, venturing further out over open water. Adults can be seen from May to the end of August. It occurs in most waters and on large lakes is usually the most abundant species. Most Large ponds will have a population of Common Damselflies, with the males sticking to vegetation either in … It has a blue abdomen, with black stripes, as well as having a blue and black head. The females have a variety of forms including green, brown, black and a form with very similar colourings to the male. Female: black and either blue or dull green with a thistle shaped mark on segment 2 (below the wing base). ... Common blue damselfly. The body is blue. 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