Coenagrion scitulum - Dainty Damselfly
Male (Southern France)
Male
Female
Female
Description
Length: 32mm
Both sexes appear yellowish when viewed from the underside.
The pale brown pterostigma is longer than in other Coenagrion species.
In the male, S2 has a "wine-goblet" shaped mark, occasionally reduced to a bar or crescent.
S8 is blue but S9 has black markings towards the rear.
S6 and S7 are entirely black.
The female is blue with black "rocket-shaped" markings on the abdomen.
Habitat
Open but well-vegetated waters. It can tolerate some salinity.
Status and Distribution
Extinct in Britain since 1953 when its known breeding sites in Essex were destroyed during the catastrophic flooding.
Recently (June 2010) re-discovered in Kent
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.