A Forward by Ken Crick

The top row of labium exhibit a high level of variability in respect of the number and length of the small hairs found on either side of the prementum centre line. The lower row of labium exhibit little or no variability in key features.

  Figure 4

From the images in Figures 3 and 4 choose the closest fit for the specimen under consideration and click to the appropriate species listed under larva in the main menu. If this species is Azure Damselfly be aware that the Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum has many key characteristics in common with the Azure and can only be keyed out definitively by referring to Steve Cham’s Field Guide to the larvae and exuviae of British Dragonflies Volume 2: Damselflies.

Larva change colour as they age, it is not a feature to which any consideration should be given. Some variations in caudal lamellae profile and banding are illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7.

Figure 5

Click here to move to the next page