Northern Damselfly
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Description
Adult
Length: 31mm
Flight Period: June to July (occasionally May and August)
Both sexes have bright green undersides to the eyes and face and a coenagrion spur.
Male: segment 2 has a rather variable, spear-head shaped spot linked rather like the cards ♠ "Spades" symbol (see right). Segment 8 and segment 9 are blue except for 2 small black spots on S9.
Female: clear green from the side but mostly black from above.
Larvae
Length: 14-15mm
Antennae with 6 segments and prominant spotting on the head. Caudal lamellae long and narrow with distinct, dark nodal constriction and dark nodal line.
Habitat
This species is restricted in the UK to sedge-fringed lochans in the Scottish Highlands.
Status & Distribution
Rare and local. This is a Red Data Book species.
Similar species
This species is easily confused with the other members of the genus Coenagrion and with the Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum . Look at S2 (on the males) for distinguishing characters. Northern Damselfly is a weak flyer and has a very restricted range. The females can be particularly tricky to distinguish apart.