| Coenagrion ornatum | |
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| Male | |
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| Species: | C. ornatum |
| Binomial name | |
| Coenagrion ornatum (Sélys, 1850) | |
| Synonyms | |
Coenagrion vanbrinkaeLohmann, 1933 | |
Coenagrion ornatum, or, the ornate bluet, is a species of damselfly from the family Coenagrionidae distributed across a large part of Europe and Western Asia. [2] [3]
Adults reach 30 to 31 mm, of which 20–30 mm abdomen, while wingspan is 17–24 mm. The base coloration is blue with black markings, similar to other coenagrionids. Male can be distinguished by a marking on the top of the second segment of the abdomen (S2) which resembles a stalked wine glass or a trident, but is not always developed. Other segments up to S7 sport pointed markings resembling spears, while the eighth segment is entirely blue with at best two tiny black spots. Females have darker abdomens, but with always some blue on the proximal half of each segment; this characteristic resembles brighter azure damselfly females, which can be distinguished by three forward-pointing black spires (ornate bluet females only have the central one). [4] Males in turn closely resemble the southern damselfly males, from which they can be distinguished by serrated hind edges of eye-sports on the top of the head and details in abdomen markings. [3]
The period of activity is short: adults fly in the summer, from May to July or mid-August. [2] [4]
The species breeds in shallow, unshaded, slowly-flowing streams with moderate growth. It is absent from water bodies with densely overgrown banks. Most of the known localities in Europe are along ditches in agricultural areas where people regularly mow the banks and clean the bottoms. [2]
The Balkans represent the central area of distribution, with but a few larger isolated populations to the west, specifically in Danube river valley in Bavaria, and in central France. [2] Thus, it is regarded eastern counterpart of the southern damselfly. Ranges of the two species overlap in Central Europe. [3] Ornate bluet is moderately common in the Balkans, even though the populations are relatively small. Water pollution is causing noticeable decline in other parts of Europe. Distribution range extends east across Anatolia and Iran to south-eastern Turkmenistan, where it inhabits higher altitudes, whereas lowlands are too dry for its survival. It is also absent from Mediterranean islands. [2]
Damselflies are insects of the suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies, which constitute the other odonatan suborder, Anisoptera, but are smaller and have slimmer bodies. Most species fold the wings along the body when at rest, unlike dragonflies which hold the wings flat and away from the body. An ancient group, damselflies have existed since at least the Lower Permian, and are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Enallagma cyathigerum is a species found mainly between latitudes 40°N and 72°N; It is widely distributed in the Palearctic, and the Nearctic species Enallagma annexum was at one time considered to be synonymous with it. The species can reach a length of 32 to 35 mm. It is common in many different countries including Russia, Europe and South Korea. Damselflies are an important link between the health of the aquatic ecosystem and its response to climate change.
The variable damselfly or variable bluet is a European damselfly. Despite its name, it is not the only blue damselfly prone to variable patterning.
The Irish damselfly or crescent bluet is a damselfly found in northern Europe and Asia to north-eastern China;. It is common and widespread in northern Finland, scarce and local in the Netherlands and Ireland and rare elsewhere. One of its English name comes from the fact that it is found in Ireland but not in Britain. The alternative name, crescent bluet, refers to the shape of the markings on segment two of the male and its scientific name.
The southern hawker or blue hawker is a species of hawker dragonfly.
The azure damselfly is a species of damselfly found in most of Europe. It is notable for its distinctive black and blue colouring. They are commonly found around ponds and lakesides during the summer.
The dainty damselfly, also known as the dainty bluet, is a blue damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae. This is a scarce species found mainly in southern Europe, northern Africa, southwest Asia, and Central America. C. scitulum are Odonata predators that can reach a length of 30–33 mm at maturity and have hind-wing lengths of 15–20 mm. The males and females do exhibit differing features through their colouration making them easily distinguishable. As shown in the photo to the left, segment eight is blue in colour followed by black markings on segment nine, whereas the females are mostly black near the rear with smaller blue markings. Although they are relatively simple to sex, they are easily confused with the common blue damselfly.
Norfolk damselfly or dark bluet is a species of blue damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae. This species acquired its common name from its discovery in 1903 and presence in a very restricted area of the Norfolk Broads. Records came from Sutton, Stalham, and Hickling Broads.
Coenagrion is a genus of damselflies in the family Coenagrionidae, commonly called the Eurasian Bluets. Species of Coenagrion are generally medium-sized, brightly coloured damselflies.
Coenagrion mercuriale, the southern damselfly, is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is found in Algeria, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Morocco, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom. Its natural habitats are rivers and freshwater springs. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Coenagrion hastulatum, the northern damselfly or spearhead bluet, is a damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae.
Coenagrion intermedium is a damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is commonly known as the Cretan bluet. It used to be a subspecies of Coenagrion ponticum
Coenagrion resolutum, the taiga bluet, is a damselfly which is part of the family of Coenagrionidae found in Europe and North America.
Pinheyschna subpupillata, the stream hawker, is a species of dragonfly in the family Aeshnidae.
Proischnura rotundipennis, the round-winged bluet is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is scarce and localised.
Proischnura polychromatica, the mauve bluet, is a small species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae. It is endemic to a small area of Cape Province in South Africa. The adult male has a mauve sheen to its dark-coloured body, a bronze-green thorax striped with mauve, and a pale brown abdomen with a bronze-green dorsal stripe. The female is mainly pale brown. The natural habitat of this damselfly is transient pools in stream beds with floating vegetation, especially sedges. Although previously more widespread, it is now known from a single location where it is threatened by the encroachment of cattle and the loss of suitable habitat. For these reasons, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it as "endangered".
Coenagrion lyelli is a species of damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae, commonly known as a swamp bluet. It is a medium-sized damselfly, the male is bright blue with black markings. It is found in south-eastern Australia, where it inhabits streams, pools and lakes.
Lindenia tetraphylla, or bladetail, is a species of dragonfly from the family Gomphidae found in Central and Southwest Asia, and parts of the Mediterranean. It is the only representative of the monotypic genus Lindenia.
Sympetrum depressiusculum, or, the spotted darter, is a dragonfly species from the family Libellulidae, distributed across temperate parts of Eurasia.
Epallage fatime, the Oriental damselfly, is a damselfly (Zygoptera) from the family of the Euphaeidae.
Media related to Coenagrion ornatum at Wikimedia Commons