Unknown Damselflies/Dragonflies for ID, please

Pete Collins · #1 (**permalink**) 13-07-2008, 01:47 PM

I photographed these at College Lake, Bucks., this morning. I don't know anything at all about damselflies or dragonflies, and would love to know what they are.

Thanks,

Pete

Toby · #2 (**permalink**) 13-07-2008, 03:21 PM

2 & 3 are surely male Common Blue damselflies. #4 male Azure damselfly?

djackso · #3 (**permalink**) 13-07-2008, 03:32 PM

Hi Pete, I think the key to ID is to correctly id certain markings on segments 2 and 9. The "u" shape on 2 and the posterior black band on 9 in shot (4) suggests azure, I think.

(2) and (3) are common blue because 2 has a mushroom shape, and 9 is all blue.

(1) is a female I think, and I'm not sure which sp.

All the best,

DJ

Pete Collins · #4 (**permalink**) 13-07-2008, 03:44 PM

Thanks Toby and djackso for your comments.

I did have a look in the Gallery, and thought they looked like Common Blue and Azure damselflies. I don't have a reference book but I remember last year seeing a friend's chart for recognising damselflies/dragonflies, so I know there are several very similar looking types of blue damselfly.

CloudedYellow · #5 (**permalink**) 13-07-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toby

2 & 3 are surely male Common Blue damselflies. #4 male Azure damselfly?

I agree and I would say that 1 is an immature Common Blue.

djackso · #6 (**permalink**) 13-07-2008, 05:54 PM

I found this shot of a common blue, which is thought to be either immature or, more probably, a female:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/49/15...889212.jpg?v=0

Google Image Result for http://farm1.static.flickr.com/49/159222742_9421889212.jpg?v=0

It is remarkably similar to (1)

A slightly better image of the pronotum would confirm the species, at least.

Dogghound · #7 (**permalink**) 13-07-2008, 05:56 PM

1. Female Common Blue
2. Male Common Blue
3. Male Common Blue
4. Male Azure

Pete Collins · #8 (**permalink**) 14-07-2008, 03:19 PM

Cheers, thank you all for your replies!

In my ignorance, I didn't even realise there were differences in colour between males and females.

nurglespuss · #9 (**permalink**) 14-07-2008, 03:46 PM

Hi there,

Sorry to hijack this thread, but could you experts have a go at this for me? I fear it may be a little too immature to identify (it was 1.2 inch long however).

Thanks!