This is one of our most common and widespread species, found in a variety of habitats, including brackish water, and tolerant of mild pollution. Males are a dark blue-black, with a distinctive blue ‘tail’. The females have a number of forms, including one like the male.
Status in Sussex
Common, the number of records exceeded only by that of the Azure Damselfly. Very well distributed across the whole county, with marked concentrations in the east, and occurring even on the Downs where there is water.
Distribution at 1km scale
Historical records
A widespread species historically (e.g. Dannreuther 1939, 1945). Chelmick (1979) noted its reduced abundance in acid waters such as those on Ashdown Forest
Flight times
Late April - early September. There is some evidence of first flight times becoming earlier.
Phenology (adult)
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Blue-tailed Damselfly habitat at Pevensey Levels Photo: Fran Southgate
Habitat
A range of still or slow-moving waters, including garden ponds, streams, rivers, canals, ditches and pools. The species tolerates pollution more than other species.
Conservation
This species, most common in the south of the country, raises no conservation concerns. As an early coloniser of newly created wetland habitat, it is an easy species to encourage - and, in doing so, we can perhaps help other dragonflies to extend their range too.
Similar species
Males are only likely to be confused with the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly which is very rare in Sussex. These two species can be told apart by the location of the blue band near the tip of the abdomen. In Blue-tailed Damselfly it is on abdominal segment 8 with segment 9 (nearer the tip) black. In the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly, the blue is primarily on segment 9. The pterostigma are also longer on Blue-tailed Damselfly. The females of both species occur in different forms (some of which are transitional). Some of these might cause confusion with females of other damselfly species. There is a discussion of this under Azure Damselfly.
This is one of our most common and widespread species, found in a variety of habitats, including brackish water, and tolerant of mild pollution. Males are a dark blue-black, with a distinctive blue ‘tail’. The females have a number of forms, including one like the male.
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f. infuscans - ovipositing Photo: Dave Sadler
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f. rufescens Photo: David Sadler
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f. rufescens-obsoleta Photo: David Sadler
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f. violacea Photo: David Sadler
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female f. rufescens Photo: Simon Linington
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pair mating Photo: Dave Sadler
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female Photo: David Sadler
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female Photo: David Sadler
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male Photo: Simon Linington
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male Photo: Simon Linington
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male Photo: Simon Linington
National status
Abundant throughout Britain.
Status in Sussex
Common, the number of records exceeded only by that of the Azure Damselfly. Very well distributed across the whole county, with marked concentrations in the east, and occurring even on the Downs where there is water.
Distribution at 1km scale
Historical records
A widespread species historically (e.g. Dannreuther 1939, 1945). Chelmick (1979) noted its reduced abundance in acid waters such as those on Ashdown Forest
Flight times
Late April - early September. There is some evidence of first flight times becoming earlier.
Phenology (adult)
1 / 1
Blue-tailed Damselfly habitat at Pevensey Levels Photo: Fran Southgate
Habitat
A range of still or slow-moving waters, including garden ponds, streams, rivers, canals, ditches and pools. The species tolerates pollution more than other species.
Conservation
This species, most common in the south of the country, raises no conservation concerns. As an early coloniser of newly created wetland habitat, it is an easy species to encourage - and, in doing so, we can perhaps help other dragonflies to extend their range too.
Similar species
Males are only likely to be confused with the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly which is very rare in Sussex. These two species can be told apart by the location of the blue band near the tip of the abdomen. In Blue-tailed Damselfly it is on abdominal segment 8 with segment 9 (nearer the tip) black. In the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly, the blue is primarily on segment 9. The pterostigma are also longer on Blue-tailed Damselfly. The females of both species occur in different forms (some of which are transitional). Some of these might cause confusion with females of other damselfly species. There is a discussion of this under Azure Damselfly.
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