Male. Taken at Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon, on June 5th 2010. Click image for larger version.
(1/125th sec at F13. Approx 3x life size.)
Male. Taken at Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon, on June 21st 2010. Click image for larger version.
(1/200th sec at F11. Approx 3x life size.)
Female. Taken at Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon, on June 5th 2010.
(1/320th sec at F14. Approx 3x life size.)

© David Hastings

Description

Wingspan: 24 - 42 mm; body length 27 - 31 mm
 
One of the smallest members of the genus. The male's S2 marking typically resembles a head bearing a winged helmet. S3-6 are seldom more than half black, and there is always some blue at the base of S7. The female is dark and nondescript.
 
This is an uncommon damselfly in the UK, and is classed as 'rare' on the Red Data Book list (a licence is required to handle it). It prefers sunny streams and springs with rich aquatic and riparian vegetation. These are often calcareous, but can occur on heathy areas flushed with calcareous water. Its two main strongholds in the UK are the New Forest and the Preseli mountains in south Wales.
 
The flight period is June and July. The flight is weak and low; adults stay close to the breeding site and do not appear to disperse easily to colonise new areas.

Sightings

16-Jul-2011	:	Crockford Stream, Hants (1f)
11-Jul-2011	:	Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon (1f)
26-Jun-2011	:	Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon (1m, 1f)
28-Aug-2010	:	Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon
21-Jun-2010	:	Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon
12-Jun-2010	:	Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon
05-Jun-2010	:	Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon
30-May-2010	:	Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon