Unknown Damselfly

[Harold Smith]

Can anyone identify this damselfly for me please. I think it is one of the variations of the female Blue-tailed Damselfly, Ischnura elegans f.infuscans. Also, there is a small nodule on its back. I wonder if it is a parasite or some sort of damage.




Regards,

Harold.

[Hedge Witch]

The pronotum suggests to me it's Common Blue

(pronotum - bit just behind head)

[Ukwildlifeo]

The nodule looks like a water droplet to my eyes, is it just me?

[Hedge Witch]

Yes, I was thinking the same thing

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

the markings on the last three segments of the abdomen also fit Common Blue.

Agree with the water drop

neil

[Harold Smith]

Thank you. Common Blue it is. I have looked more closely at my guide and it matches though its colouring is lighter suggesting that it has not long emerged.

Harold.

[Dogghound]

The lack of the 'Coenagrion' spur on the pronotum is the best ID aid here to suggest it is a Common blue. Its a female too, the colour suggests its ageing.

[Hedge Witch]

Interesting - had to look that "Coenagrion spur" up, it's a black marking on the thorax, no? A bit like the black stripe, but lower down, spur-like, and pointing forwards.

Now I will investigate which species have it or don't have it

Ohhhh - how I miss the long summer days hunting for such creatures.

[Dogghound]

The clues in the name the Coenagrion genus

C.mercuriale Southern Damselfly
C.hastulatum Northern Damselfly
C.Iunulatum Irish Damselfly
C.puella Azure Damselfly
C.pulchellum Variable Damselfly

It is indeed the spur you mention on the side of the thorax, its by far the easiest way to seperate The Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cythigerum from the Coenagrion species.

[Hedge Witch]

Doh! Of course

Cheers for the information. I was going to spend a few hours deciding about this and looking up countless gorgeous, colourful piccies, and remember how good it felt to feel the sun's rays beating down upon my face .

Mmmm - may still do that - off for a bit of research therapy