The variable damselfly or variable bluet (Coenagrion pulchellum) is a European 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.
The male variable damselfly has a distinctive "wine glass" marking on the second segment of the abdomen. This is a black U-shaped mark with a black line joining the segment's narrow terminal black band.[1] (This distinguishes it from the Azure Damselfly which has the U-shape but no line connecting it to the terminal band.)[1]
Male forms
Male
S9 virtually unmarked
_male_3.jpg)
Male
shoulder stripe unbroken
_male_2.jpg)
Male
shoulder stripe broken
_mating_Estonia.jpg)
mating
with female blue form
mating
with young adult female blue form
Female forms
_immature_female_blue_form_Estonia.jpg)
immature female, blue form
_young_adult_female_blue_form_Estonia.jpg)
young adult female blue form
_female_dark_form_2_Estonia.jpg)
adult female, dark form
The variable damselfly occurs throughout Europe. Scattered and uncommon in mainland Britain but widespread and common in Ireland.[2]
The variable damselfly or variable bluet (Coenagrion pulchellum) is a European 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.
