Spot the Difference
Common Blue vs Azure Damselfly
Common Blue vs Azure Damselfly
Two of our most common damselflies, easily confused at a glance. So how do you spot the difference?
Common blue damselfly
Enallagma cyathigerum
- When April to October
- Where Most waterbodies. Visits open water more than other blue damselflies.
- Females Blue/dull green and black. Have a spine beneath segment eight (near the end of the body).
- Black mark Males have a mushroom-shaped marking below the base of the wings.
- Thorax Broad blue or pale stripes on the top.
- Thorax No black spur on the side.
Azure damselfly
Coenagrion puella
- When April to September
- Where Prefers smaller, sheltered ponds and streams. Stays near the edges of larger lakes
- Females Green (occasionally blue) and black. No spine beneath segment eight of the abdomen.
- Black mark Males have a U-shaped marking, detached from the black ring below.
- Thorax Narrow blue or pale stripes on the top of the thorax.
- Thorax Black spur on the side of the thorax.
Image credits: Common blue damselfly: Alex Hyde/Naturepl.com; Azure damselfly: Ross Hoddinott/Naturepl.com