Enallagma cyathigerum - Common Blue Damsel

Phylum: Arthropoda - Class: Insecta - Order: Odonata - Family: Coenagriidae

This is the damselfly that is seen most often on lakes and ponds in summer. The male, shown above, fully justifies the adjective 'blue'.

Common Blue damselfly, female

In contrast the female ( pictured above) is a less conspicuous insects with blackish body colouring.

Common blue damsel, Wales UK

Mating damselflies form what is often referred to as a 'damsel wheel. Paired damselflies can be seen flitting over the water surface and then settling on a floating plant leaf so that the female can dip her oviposotor into the water, attaching eggs to the edge of the leaf.

Common blue damsel, female, southern France

Above: a female Common Blue damselfly, southern France

Acknowledgements

This page includes pictures kindly contributed by Simon Harding.

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