Northern Damselfly

Coenagrion hastulatum
  • Northern Damselfly Male © Damian Pinguey
  • Northern Damselfly tandem © Ewoud van der Ploeg
  • Northern Damselfly © Damian Pinguey

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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.

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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.