Blue-tailed Damselfly - Ischnura elegans, species information page

Blue-tailed Damselfly - Ischnura elegans

A small, dark damselfly with a prominent blue spot near the tip of the abdomen on segment 8 only (the much rarer Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly I. pumilio. has it's blue spot on the latter portion of segment 8 and all of segment 9.) Breeds in all types of still and slow moving water and is reasonably tolerant of pollution and brackish conditions. It is often the first coloniser of new ponds, quite a strong flier and is often found well away from water. Widespread and very common in England and Wales, rather more restricted in Scotland where it tends to prefer richer and more sheltered localities, but extends north to the Orkneys. It is however, absent at higher altitudes. Widespread in Europe and extending eastwards to China.

Possibly the commonest Odonata in the Blackwater Valley, it can be extremely abundant. It became common at Fleet pond in the late 1950's. Violacea, rufescens etc., forms occur in The Blackwater Valley area. Flies from the end of May to the end of August.

Description and data courtesy of The Blackwater Valley Partnership.

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