Damselfly ID

[Tiggrx]

Feel I should be able to work out which damselfly this is, but failing

It was in a garden in Somerset. I'm sure it is one of the common ones.

Thanks for any help
Aaron

[squishy]

Southern damsel Coenagrion mercuriale?

hmmm... not enough blue on the tail really... the marking on the second abdominal segment do fit though...

[Fourwings]

Female Azure.

[aeshna5]

I think female Variable Damselfly, C. pulchellum, though can't really see diagnostic shape of pronotum.

[Hedge Witch]

Pronotum suggests female Azure.

[Fourwings]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I think female Variable Damselfly, C. pulchellum, though can't really see diagnostic shape of pronotum.

It did cross my mind but without being able to see a tri-lobate pronotum, and given the fact that the two females are so very similar in appearance I think its always best to be cautious and go for Azure.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Fourwings

It did cross my mind but without being able to see a tri-lobate pronotum, and given the fact that the two females are so very similar in appearance I think its always best to be cautious and go for Azure.

You may be right! This colour form certainly occurs in Azure, though the green form seems to be the most common around me. Certainly Variable is very localised, but can be numerous where it does occur- Stodmarsh (obviously not Somerset!) springs to mind.

[Tiggrx]

Glad it wasn't only me that found it difficult

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will go with the Azure for now. I hadn't realized that the female doesn't have the U-mark.

[squishy]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

I hadn't realized that the female doesn't have the U-mark.

neither had I!

[RoyW]

Stick with Azure!

The indented shape of the pronotum should be visible on this photograph (if it was one). Also, the pronotum on this individual has an obvious, complete, pale trailing edge - this is shown by Azure, but rarely (if ever) by Variable.

Roy.