A robust looking damselfly with a dark greyish abdomen and a blue tail in the male. The eyes of the male are deep red and the thorax in both sexes is bronze black on top.
British Damselflies
British Damselflies on Wild About Britain include the latest damselfly news from around the UK, hundreds of British damselfly photos in our image gallery, lots of damselfly conversations in our insect forums, a directory of damselfly-related organisations and websites, as well as a big reference encyclopedia with information on everything from the Southern and Dainty Damselfies to the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly and the Banded Demoiselle.
Encyclopedia of British Damselflies
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Variable Damselfly | Coenagrion pulchellum |
In the male, the ante-humeral stripes are usually broken, like two exclamation marks. S2 has a "... more |
| Norfolk Damselfly | Coenagrion armatum |
At first glance, both sexes resemble Blue-tailed Damselfly rather than other Coenagrion species... more |
| Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly | Ischnura pumilio |
The Scarce Blue-tailed is one of a number of small British Damselflies. Typically Males have a... more |
| White-legged Damselfly | Platycnemis pennipes |
Adult males have obvious expanded, white legs which are used in a fluttering display flight in... more |
| Northern Damselfly | Coenagrion hastulatum |
This species is found in only a few small lochans in Scotland. In the male, S2 has a rather... more |
Identification of British Damselflies
 Coenagrion puella |
 Ischnura elegans |
 Enallagma cyathigerum |
 Coenagrion mercuriale |
Featured Species
Red-eyed DamselflyErythromma najas |