Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans) | Species | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1/100th sec at F11. Approx 3x life size.) 
Teneral male. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon on July 5th 2009.
(1/60th sec at F11. Approx 3.5x life size.) 
Mating wheel. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon on July 5th 2009.
(1/100th sec at F11. Approx 2x life size.) © David HastingsDescriptionWingspan: 28 - 42 mm; Body length: 30 - 34 mmThis is one of the commonest British species, being found in a wide range of habitats, including brackish and polluted waters, although it avoids acidic and fast flowing waters. Mature males always have a blue spot on S8, blue ante-humeral stripes on the thorax and blue eyes. The immature male has a greenish thorax. Females vary with at least 5 different colour forms. The thoracic markings and the tail spot are violet in the immature form "violacea", but salmon pink thorax and blue spot in the form "rufescens". When mature the female may be blue (like the male) in the form "typica", olive green thorax and brown spot in the form "infuscans" or pale brown thorax and brown spot in the form "infuscans-obseleta". Eggs are laid into submerged plants and debris, without males in attendance. Adults emerge after 1 year on the south and two in the north. Males are terrotorial. Most adults remain close to water, often congregating in large numbers in bankside vegetation. Although not a strong flier, adults readily disperse to new locations. The main flight period is May to August. Sightings
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