Grey damselfly for ID

[goosey]

This was in the garden yesterday, I am having a bit of trouble IDing it,
thanks for any help .

The image isn't as clear as it is on my computer and you cant see there is blue lump/dot where each wing meets the thorax.



http://mywildlifefriendlygarden.zenf...e124#h3c45e124

This is the same image but shows the blue a bit better.

[chris butterworth]

It appears to have the classic 'ace of spades' mark on the first thoracic segment which would make it a male Southern Damselfly Coenagrion mercuriale.

Chris

[goosey]

Thanks Chris .
I haven't seen much by way of Odonata in the garden this year so he was a most welcome visitor.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by chris butterworth

It appears to have the classic 'ace of spades' mark on the first thoracic segment which would make it a male Southern Damselfly Coenagrion mercuriale.

Chris

Sorry Chris, but I have my doubts now that it is a Coenagrion mercuriale. They are very rare in The Netherlands and when they do make an appearance it is usually in the very southern area of the most southerly province of Limburg.
So its thinking caps back on I am afraid or its tea on tap for the Odonata enthusiasts what will be camping out in my garden just to see it .

[chris butterworth]

Originally Posted by goosey

Sorry Chris, but I have my doubts now that it is a Coenagrion mercuriale. They are very rare in The Netherlands and when they do make an appearance it is usually in the very southern area of the most southerly province of Limburg.
So its thinking caps back on I am afraid or its tea on tap for the Odonata enthusiasts what will be camping out in my garden just to see it .

Bum . Back to the drawing board . The grey / blue stripes on the thorax are wider than the black ones so .......................... cyathigerum???????????

Chris

[goosey]

Originally Posted by chris butterworth

Bum . Back to the drawing board . The grey / blue stripes on the thorax are wider than the black ones so .......................... cyathigerum???????????

Chris

Probably more likely, though more boring ,
Roy might be able to sort us out when he makes an appearance next!

[RoyW]

The photo does show a Common Blue Damselfly - an immature male male.

The broad antehumeral stripes, presence of only one (not two) short stripes on the side of the thorax, and the entirely pale abdomen segments 8 and 9 all help with the ID.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by RoyW

The photo does show a Common Blue Damselfly - an immature male male.

The broad antehumeral stripes, presence of only one (not two) short stripes on the side of the thorax, and the entirely pale abdomen segments 8 and 9 all help with the ID.

Thanks Roy, that saves me making all those cuppa's! No one is going to queue up to see a common immature male .