The willow emerald damselfly is metallic green. The upper appendages of the males are distinctively pale cream with dark tips. Unlike other damselflies, emerald damselflies, including the willow emerald, spread their wings at an angle to their body when at rest.
This species may be confused with other emerald damselflies, but the willow emerald damselfly has pale wing spots (pterostigma), a green spur on the side of the thorax and no blue colouration (for further information see the
British Dragonfly Society.