Common Blue Damselfly
Enallagma cyathigerum
This record describes Enallagma cyathigerum (species). Recorded family: Coenagrionidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
A medium-small damselfly. It can be distinguished from other blue damselflies by the thick blue stripe on its thorax. The other common and similar damselfly, the Azure, has a much thinner stripe. With a little practice, it is relatively easy to pick out this difference in the field. Mature females have three colour forms: 'blue', 'brown' (which is often yellowish-orange) and typical (greenish). The males are a drab pink/purple when just emerged, taking a few days to become blue. However they can be distinguished from females by having solid blue on the bottom 2 abdominal segments. It favours open water habitat such as large ponds, lakes, canals and rivers but adults can be found away from water in shady spots such as woodland rides. Widespread and fairly common throughout Britain. Another species widely distributed in VC 55, the Common Blue Damselfly favours open water habitat such as large ponds, lakes, canals and rivers. Historic records suggest that this species has always been widespread.
Wikipedia reference for Enallagma cyathigerum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enallagma_cyathigerum.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Odonata
- Family
- Coenagrionidae
- Genus
- Enallagma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It favours open water habitat such as large ponds, lakes, canals and rivers but adults can be found away from water in shady spots such as woodland rides.
Seasonal Activity
It flies from May through to September.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and fairly common throughout Britain.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Enallagma cyathigerum. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Odonata includes ~6,000 described species of dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects, reaching 36 mph (58 km/h). They can fly in any direction including backward, and hover in place - each wing operates independently.
Ecological role of the group
Dragonflies predate dinosaurs by nearly 100 million years - fossils date to 325 million years ago. The largest dragonfly ancestor, Meganeuropsis permiana (285 mya), had a 75cm wingspan, enabled by atmospheric oxygen levels of 31-35% compared to today's 21%. Dragonflies have a 95% hunting success rate - the highest of any predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Dragonflies are voracious predators that consume hundreds of mosquitoes daily, providing natural pest control worth millions in reduced mosquito-borne disease risk. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Recorded sources for this group: Natural History Museum London, Britannica, fossil record research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Common Blue Damselfly (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Blue Damselfly
What is Common Blue Damselfly?
Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) is a species in the family Coenagrionidae, within the order Odonata.
Where is Common Blue Damselfly found?
Habitat: It favours open water habitat such as large ponds, lakes, canals and rivers but adults can be found away from water in shady spots such as woodland rides.
When is Common Blue Damselfly active?
Common Blue Damselfly: seasonal activity - It flies from May through to September..