Ischnura elegans, Blue-tailed Damselfly

Common Name: Blue-tailed Damselfly

Ischnura elegans, more commonly known as the Blue-tailed Damselfly, is best distinguished from the similar Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) by the thinner blue stripes on its thorax. The female is much darker with mainly black markings on its abdomen interspersed with greenish rings.

The abdomen is usually black with the 8th segment bright blue in both sexes, but the female sometimes lacks the blue. Pterostigma is bicoloured. Catches prey in flight or on leaves of foliage or even from spiders webs.

Found around still waters of all kinds, including polluted ponds, and is widespread and common throughout most of the UK.

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