Monday 11 June 2012

Odonata (7): Damselflies


My 2012 Damselfly-spotting season got off to a very slow start, but things are picking up a little. I think the picture above shows a male Blue-tailed Damselfly, judging by the photo here. I have also checked the British Dragonfly Society site

I am wondering if the damselfly above is a female Azure Damselfly. It may not be, as although the black markings are clearly defined, the other areas look more grey to me than pale green or blue. It could, perhaps, be a female Common Blue. As ever, if you are reading this blog, and can give an ID, that would be much appreciated. Apparently these females can be particularly tricky to identify! 


I am fairly sure that the Damselfly above and the two below are examples of the male Common Blue. These were all enjoying the Suffolk sunshine and calmer conditions after the stormy winds last week that caused second day of the Suffolk Show to be cancelled.

It would be interesting to know what Damselfly guides folk find helpful. This is the one I use, in conjunction with the images and write-ups on the web. It is a Natural History Museum publication, and is in a convenient format. I also use the Guide to Ladybirds of the British Isles in the same series.

6 comments:

kirstallcreatures said...

Hello Caroline, I'm no expert but I would agree with the Blue Tailed for the 1st one and Common Blue for the later photos. Ive had a look through my Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of GB & Ireland but I'm confused about the 2nd photo. Linda

Rosie Nixon Fluerty said...

Oh I haven't seen a blue one in the garden for a few years but I think your brown one is a female common blue. I'm over at Ispot (open university) and the folk there will give you id's online if you upload a photo.....that's where I go to get id's.

Caroline Gill said...

Thank you both so much for your interest, assistance and suggestions. Having moved from Wales to Suffolk, I have been hoping to encounter some different insects!

Mary said...

You see a lot of different damselflies! I don't find as many here and never can identify them.

Crafty Green Poet said...

what lovely photos! I can't help with id unfortunately, I'm not very good with invertebrates yet (except possibly butterflies).

I've not seen any damselflies in Scotland this year so far...

Caroline Gill said...

Thank you, Mary and Juliet: yes, damselflies are very tricky to ID!