Taxonomy

Coenagrion puella | Azure Damselfly | Goirmín Spéiriúil

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

Ireland: Least Concern

EU: Least Concern

There appears to be a declining trend in this species, but not at a rate that justifies a threat category.

Native status

Native

Species Biology

Identification

Length: 3.3cm                                                                                                                                                                                          

Wingspan: 4.1cm                                                                                                                                                                                  

Both sexes have translucent wings with a black dot near the tip. Males have a slender, elongated appearance, dorsal surface of abdomen is predominately blue with a band of black at the bottom of each segment, they have a black U-shaped mark on the second segment of the abdomen. Females can be in either green or blue form, if green then the dorsal surface of the abdomen is bronze and head and thorax are green. If the female is in blue form then the abdomen is predominately black with “W” shaped blue markings at the beginning of each segment, their head and thorax is yellow-green in colour. Black "spur" on side of thorax.

Adult habitat & habits

Adults appear non-territorial. Males rendezvous with females at egg-laying sites.

Habitat

Found in sheltered, well vegetated (submerged, emergent, floating plants), still or slow-flowing aquatic habitats e.g. ponds, lakes, canals, ditches, rivers, streams. Typical breeding species in garden ponds.

Flight period

May to August (occasionally April and/or September)

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

Irish distribution

Widespread throughout Ireland. Certain areas e.g. Mayo, Donegal, Antrim lack the correct habitat therefore the azure damselfly is uncommon in these areas. 

Temporal change

Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024

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