Female common blue damselfly by Michelle Hetherington 1/3
Common blue damselfly by Stephanie Thrower 2/3
Common blue damselfly by Yvonne Magill 3/3

Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerium

The common blue damselfly is just that: a damselfly that is common and, in the male, is blue. However, its identification is made more complex by the existence of several closely-related species which, if not seen well, are very similar. The male common blue appears vividly blue, more so than other blue damselfly species, and has a strong blob of blue towards the tip of his tail. He also has a habit of flying very low over the water’s surface, much in the manner of the two red-eyed damselfly species.

Conservation status

The common blue damselfly is widespread and very common. It has something of a preference for larger bodies of water but is found on almost every large pond, lake and broad in the county and is happily not of conservation concern.

Related questions & advice

What is the difference between dragonflies and damselflies?

Details

Did you know? A somewhat similar species is known in English as the Norfolk damselfly. Sadly it was last recorded from the Norfolk Broads several decades ago, and is now extinct in the UK, though it is widespread on the European continent.
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