Variable Damselfly
Encyclopedia
Coenagrion pulchellum, the Variable Damselfly or Variable Bluet, is a Europe
an damselfly
. Despite its name, it is not the only blue damselfly prone to variable patterning.
Its behaviour is much like that of the Azure Damselfly
; it usually stays close to vegetation. Immatures are often found in adjacent meadows or uncut grassy areas.
of the abdomen
. This is a black U-shaped mark with a black line joining the segment's narrow terminal black band. (This distinguishes it from the Azure Damselfly
which has the U-shape but no line connecting it to the terminal band.)
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an damselfly
Damselfly
Damselflies are insects in the order Odonata. Damselflies are similar to dragonflies, but the adults can be distinguished by the fact that the wings of most damselflies are held along, and parallel to, the body when at rest...
. Despite its name, it is not the only blue damselfly prone to variable patterning.
Its behaviour is much like that of the Azure Damselfly
Azure Damselfly
The Azure Damselfly is a species of damselfly found in most of Europe. It is notable for its distinctive black and blue colouring.-Males:...
; it usually stays close to vegetation. Immatures are often found in adjacent meadows or uncut grassy areas.
Description
The male Variable Damselfly has a distinctive "wine glass" marking on the second segmentSegmentation (biology)
Segmentation in biology refers to either a type of gastrointestinal motility or the division of some animal and plant body plans into a series of repetitive segments. This article will focus on the segmentation of animal body plans, specifically using the examples of the phyla Arthropoda,...
of the abdomen
Abdomen
In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
. This is a black U-shaped mark with a black line joining the segment's narrow terminal black band. (This distinguishes it from the Azure Damselfly
Azure Damselfly
The Azure Damselfly is a species of damselfly found in most of Europe. It is notable for its distinctive black and blue colouring.-Males:...
which has the U-shape but no line connecting it to the terminal band.)
Distribution
The Variable Damselfly occurs throughout Europe. Scattered and uncommon in mainland Britain but widespread and common in Ireland.External links
- http://www.brocross.com/dfly/species/pulch.htm