Male. Taken at Radley Lakes, Oxon, on June 10th 2019.
(1/640th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Male. Taken at Radley Lakes, Oxon, on September 4th 2018.
(1/320th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Female, blue form. Taken at Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon, on May 6th 2015.
(1/400th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Female, dull form. Taken at Standlake, Oxon, on June 27th 2019.
(1/320th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Female, blue form. Taken at Seven Barrows, Berks, on May 7th 2011.
(1/200th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Mating wheel. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon on July 20th 2014.
(1/800th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

Wingspan: 30 - 42 mm; body length: 29 - 36 mm

This species is the most widely distributed and often the most abundant Damselfly. It shares its blue and black colouration with several other species. It can be distinguished from them by its broad ante-humeral stripes and the lack of the 'Coenagrion spur' on the side of the thorax. In the male, S2 has a characteristic mark of a spot linked to the inter-segment suture by a short line. S8 and S9 are entirely blue. The female occurs in two colour forms, one blue, as in the male, the other dull green or brown. The mark on S2 is thistle-shaped and there is a stepped triangle on S8. It has an obvious spine in front of the ovipositor, under S8.

This species is found throughout the British Isles.

It occurs in a wide variety of waters, both still and flowing, although it shuns very small ponds. It tolerates both nutrient-poor and enriched conditions.

Eggs are laid while 'in tandem' into surface vegetation. Larvae take a year to develop in the south, but two or more years in the north. Adults are usually on the wing from late April to September.

Males will fly well out over open water in sunny conditions. They are aggresseive when in pursuit of females. Immatures often disperse well away from water.

A widespread and common species.

Sightings

15-Sep-2023	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(7)
05-Sep-2023	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(4)
16-Aug-2023	:	Whelford Pools, Glos	(40)
07-Aug-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
07-Aug-2023	:	Parsonage Moor, Oxon	(1)
01-Aug-2023	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(3)
25-Jul-2023	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon	(7)
17-Jul-2023	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon	(4)
16-Jul-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
25-Jun-2023	:	Standlake Common, Oxon	(25+)
23-Jun-2023	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(50+)
21-Jun-2023	:	Haddon Moor, Somerset	(1)
21-Jun-2023	:	Wimbleball Lake, Somerset	(9)
19-Jun-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(2)
17-Jun-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1f)
16-Jun-2023	:	Whelford Pools, Glos	(100+)
16-Jun-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
15-Jun-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(2)
13-Jun-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
12-Jun-2023	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon	(20+)
11-Jun-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(3)
10-Jun-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(4+)
07-Jun-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(2)
04-Jun-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(3)
03-Jun-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1f)
02-Jun-2023	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(100+)
25-May-2023	:	The Coombes, Wilts	(2)
24-May-2023	:	Chimney Meadows, Oxon	(5)
23-May-2023	:	The Coombes, Wilts	(2)
16-May-2023	:	Whelford Pools, Glos	(100+)
16-Sep-2022	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(2)
26-Aug-2022	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(1)
15-Aug-2022	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(1)
12-Aug-2022	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
04-Aug-2022	:	Whelford Pools, Glos	(50+)
29-Jul-2022	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(12)
26-Jul-2022	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(1)
22-Jul-2022	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(20+)
21-Jul-2022	:	Aston, Oxon	(1f)
16-Jul-2022	:	Chimney Meadows, Oxon	(2)
03-Jul-2022	:	Aston, Oxon	(1m)
03-Jul-2022	:	Standlake Common, Oxon	(20+)
01-Jul-2022	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon	(1)
25-Jun-2022	:	Myers Allotment, Lancashire	(20+)
10-Jun-2022	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(2)
02-Jun-2022	:	Chimney Meadows, Oxon	(3)
22-May-2022	:	Chimney Meadows, Oxon	(1)
09-May-2022	:	Whelford Pools, Glos	(50+)
11-Aug-2021	:	Mortimer, Berks	(1)
10-Aug-2021	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(1)