Quick IdentificationSouthern Damselfly (Coenagrion mercuriale)
Male Southern Damselfly
Quick ID Guide
Welcome to my quick identification guide of the Southern Damselfly.
These graphics are meant as a guide to the key identifying features of both the male and the female dragonflies.
The text section has been kindly written & supplied by Mr Ken Crick.
For a more complete species description, follow the link below to the Southern Damselfly narrative.
Another blue damselfly with black markings. The slightly elliptical spots just behind the eyes are separated by a blue bar. The antehumeral stripes are fine unbroken blue lines. Abdominal segment 9 is 80% black, segments 3 & 4 display a black lanceolate mark with the point towards the head.
The most distinguishing feature is the “mercury” mark on segment two. This mark is somewhat variable both within and between site specific populations.
Alternatively follow the link to the main species page.
Not the species you were looking for.
All of the images and graphics are by Chris Brooks.
Female Southern Damselfly
The female closely resembles its Azure counterpart, the presence of a bar between the spots behind the eyes being the only immediately obvious difference.
Chris Brooks Photography
(www.dragonfly-images.co.uk)
