Coenagrion puella - Azure Damselfly
Male
Newly emerged female
Description
Length: 33mm
The male has a characteristic flat-bottomed "U" shaped mark on S2.
S8 is blue and S9 has black markings towards the rear.
The female is green or pale blue with extensive black markings.
Habitat
Small ponds and streams and sometimes at the edges of larger water bodies..
Status and Distribution
Very common throughout the British Isles except the northern half of Scotland.
Distribution map from the National Biodiversity Network Gateway (opens in new window).
Similar species
This species is easily confused with the other members of the genus Coenagrion and with the Common Blue Damselfly.
Look at S2 (on the males) for distinguishing characters.
The females can be particularly tricky to distinguish apart.