Ischnura elegans - Blue-tailed Damselfly - Agrion élégant

Description

A common damselfly found in many different habitats, even slightly polluted water where it may be the only species present. It also may be active in dull weather where all other species are absent from view. The Blue-tailed Damselfly male has a black abdomen with segment 8 sky blue. The thorax is black/blue striped and there are blue spots near the eyes. The females exist in several different colour forms; some coloured like the male, others violet, pink or brown. In the Mediterranean region it has a long flight period, from March to October.

Male at Lac du Salagou, 26th May 2004

Male at Lac du Salagou, 26th May 2004

Newly emaerged (teneral) specimen at Lac du Salagou, 26th May 2004

Female form typica, Milton Keynes, UK

Female form rufescens, Milton Keynes, UK

Female form infuscans, Milton Keynes, UK

Observations

26/05/2004   A few dozen males and females at Lac du Salagou, Hérault (34).

08/07/2004   A few dozen individuals, mostly females, by Lac du Salagou, Hérault (34).

01/09/2004   A few males and females by the Lac du Salagou, Hérault (34).

20/05/2005   About 15 seen with some paired at the plan d'eau, Lunas, Hérault (34).

22/06/2006   Just 2 males seen at the Plan d'eau, Lunas (34)

23/08/2006   2 or 3 individuals near River Orb at Cazoules-les-Béziers.

29/04/2007   2 males in reeds at edge of Lac du Salagou

08/06/2007   30+ individuals seen at the Scamandre reserve in the Petit Camargue including pairs in cop

09/06/2007   3-10 males and females including pairs in cop at the Pallisade Reserve in the Camargue

10/06/2007   3-10 males and females at the Parc Ornithologique, Pont de Gau in the Camargue

18/05/2008   Solitary male near the River Orb at Hérépian

09/06/2009   10-30 mostly males seen at the Barrage des Olivettes.

16/06/2009   2 males in vegetation by a pond near to the River Orb at Hérépian.