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Common Blue Damselfly

Enallagma cyathigerum

1 photo

1 photographer

·Common · 1 pts

Very 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.

Did You Know?

•Males have a distinctive powder-blue coloration on the abdomen, while females are more greenish-brown or bronze
•The name 'cyathigerum' refers to the cup-shaped structure on the male's abdomen used in reproduction
•They can hover almost motionless while hunting, making them efficient aerial predators
•Damselflies are indicators of good water quality and healthy freshwater ecosystems
•Unlike dragonflies, damselflies fold their wings along their body when at rest rather than holding them outspread

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Shutter

1/1250ss

ISO Range

400

Aperture

f/f/5.6

Focal Length

300mm

🐛 Common Blue Damselfly

Insect