| Norfolk damselfly | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male C. armatum, Sweden. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Suborder: | Zygoptera |
| Family: | Coenagrionidae |
| Genus: | Coenagrion |
| Species: | C. armatum |
| Binomial name | |
| Coenagrion armatum (Charpentier, 1840) | |
The Norfolk damselfly or dark bluet (Coenagrion armatum) is a species of blue damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae native to Eurasia.
This species acquired its common name from its discovery in 1903 and its presence in a very restricted area of the Norfolk Broads, England.
At first glance, this damselfly may resemble a blue-tailed damselfly or a red-eyed damselfly more than a typical Coenagrion species. Both sexes have a distinctive black abdomen with coloured segments at both the base and the tip. Males have very large appendages that distinguish them from similar species. [2]
It breeds in ponds ditches and slow rivers with open helophyte vegetation and good water quality. It is very abundant in Northern and Eastern Europe.
Its breeding biology is poorly known. Eggs are laid in the stems and leaves of aquatic plants. The larvae live among aquatic plants and probably emerge after one year.
It was recorded in Britain from late May to late July. The current populations in Western Europe fly earlier and peak in early May. Males perch on floating leaves. It is a strong-flying damselfly.
It is found from Northern and Eastern Europe eastward to Siberia and Mongolia in Asia. This damselfly was extirpated from its sites in the United Kingdom due to natural succession from open water to dry reedbeds. It was believed to be extirpated from the Netherlands in the 20th century, but was rediscovered there in 1999.
The species was formerly recorded as a breeding species in Britain, in Norfolk. Records came from Sutton, Stalham, and Hickling Broads. It was last recorded in 1968. Since its current main range is from the Baltic area eastward, the likelihood of recolonisation in Britain seems low, and reintroduction may be needed.
Aeshna isoceles is a small hawker dragonfly that is found in Europe, mostly around the Mediterranean, and the lowlands of North Africa. Its common name in English is green-eyed hawker. In Britain it is a rare and local species and is known as the Norfolk hawker. It has a brown colour with green eyes and clear wings and also a yellow triangular mark on the second abdominal segment which gave rise to its scientific name. It used to be in the genus Anaciaeschna as it has several differences from the other members of the genus Aeshna. Its specific name is often spelt isosceles.
The emperor dragonfly or blue emperor is a large species of hawker dragonfly of the family Aeshnidae. It is the bulkiest dragonfly in most of Europe, including the United Kingdom, although exceeded by the magnificent emperor and in length by females of the golden-ringed dragonfly.
The banded demoiselle is a species of damselfly belonging to the family Calopterygidae. It is often found along slow-flowing streams and rivers. It is a Eurasian species occurring from the Atlantic coast eastwards to Lake Baikal and northwestern China.
The large red damselfly is a species of damselflies belonging to the family Coenagrionidae. It is native to the western Palearctic.
The scarlet dragonfly is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. Its common names include broad scarlet, common scarlet-darter, and scarlet darter.
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.
The small red damselfly is a small damselfly flying in heathland bogs and streams. It is in the family Coenagrionidae.
The white-legged damselfly or blue featherleg is a damselfly of slow-flowing, muddy waters. It occurs from the Atlantic to Siberia and is often abundant throughout its range.
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.
Somatochlora sahlbergi, the treeline emerald, is a species of dragonfly in the family Corduliidae. It is found at high latitudes across northern Eurasia and North America, and occurs farther north than any other dragonfly.
Coenagrion hastulatum, the northern damselfly or spearhead bluet, is a damselfly in the family Coenagrionidae.
Chalcolestes parvidens, formerly Lestes parvidens, is a damselfly of the family Lestidae. It has a metallic green body and at rest it holds its wings away from its body. Its common name in English is the eastern willow spreadwing.
Lestes barbarus is a species of damselfly of the family Lestidae, the spreadwings. Its common names in English include southern emerald damselfly, shy emerald damselfly, and migrant spreadwing.
Chalcolestes viridis, formerly Lestes viridis, is a damselfly of the family Lestidae. It has a metallic green body and at rest it holds its wings away from its body. Its common name is the willow emerald damselfly, the green emerald damselfly, or the western willow spreadwing. It has an elongated abdomen and pale brown spots on its wings and resides in areas of still water with overhanging trees.
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.
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.
