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Common Blue Damselfly
Enallagma cyathigerum
1 photo
·1 photographer
·Common · 1 ptsVery similar to Azure; most abundant UK damselfly.
1 community photo of Common Blue Damselfly on Things With Wings. Top-rated shots often use around 1/1250ss shutter, 300mm.
Species Profile
Green List; common and widespread with stable populations
- Lifespan
- Approximately 2–3 months as an adult; up to 2 years including aquatic nymph stage
- Size & Weight
- 32–35 mm body length; wingspan 40–50 mm
- Habitat
- Found around still and slow-flowing freshwater bodies including ponds, lakes, canals, and ditches with aquatic vegetation.
- UK Distribution
- Widespread throughout England, Wales, and southern Scotland; absent from the far north of Scotland. Resident species, present from May to September.
- Diet
- Carnivorous; hunts small flying insects in flight.
- Prey
- Small flying insects including midges, gnats, mosquitoes, and small flies
- Predators
- Dragonflies, water birds, spiders, and insectivorous fish
- Mating Season
- May to August
- Breeding
- Females lay hundreds of eggs into aquatic vegetation or substrate; eggs hatch into nymphs which develop over 1–2 years in water through multiple instars before emerging as adults.
- Behaviour
- Males are highly territorial and patrol breeding waters, hovering and darting to intercept prey and rival males. Tandem pairs are frequently observed as females lay eggs. They are active in warm, sunny conditions and often perch on vegetation.
Sources and editorial status
The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.
Profile generated 22 June 2026
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Camera Settings (top photos)
Shutter
1/1250ss
ISO Range
400
Aperture
f/f/5.6
Focal Length
300mm
