Azure Damselfly - Coenagrion puella

Description

Best distinguished from the similar Common Blue Damselfly by the thinner blue stripes on its thorax. The female is much darker with mainly black markings on its abdomen interspersed with greenish rings.

Similar Species

The Common Blue Damselfly has thicker antehumeral stripes. Male Variable Damselflies usually have antehumeral stripes broken like an exclamation mark, however females are require careful examination of the body patterns to be distinguished.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Well-vegetated, sheltered habits are favoured, but these may take the form of ponds, small to medium sized lakes, slow-flowing rivers, canals and garden pools, but also along hedgebanks and woodland rides.

When to see it

May to August

Life History

It has a one year life cycle, most of which is spent in the larval stage. The larvae sit amongst underwater vegetation and grab prey as it passes by, particularly midge larvae and small crustaceans.

UK Status

Possibly the commonest of the blue damselflies. It is common in England and Wales, scarcer towards Scotland.

VC55 Status

The Azure Damselfly is common and widely distributed in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Further Information

The Azure Damselfly is widely distributed in VC 55, finding a variety of habitats suitable to its needs. Well-vegetated, sheltered habits are favoured, but these may take the form of ponds, small to medium sized lakes, slow-flowing rivers, canals and garden pools. Historical distribution mirrors these liberal preferences.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Azure Bluet, Azure Damselfly, Common Coenagrion
Species group:
Dragonflies and Damselflies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Odonata
Family:
Coenagrionidae
Records on NatureSpot:
625
First record:
23/06/1949 (Wesley, Isaac)
Last record:
02/08/2024 (Pugh, Dylan)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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