Further to today's lengthy post about variable damselfly I now need to confess that I think the posting to be erroneous. Having consulted various field guides its appears the only reliable way of separating variable from azure damselfly is the deeply lobed nature of the prothorax on the variable. You will note that the prothorax in the photo is not deeply lobed therefore making it azure. However I believe the abdominal markings are akin to variable.
Can anyone put this to bed please??
Looks like an Azure.
ReplyDeleteThe 'Mercury mark' is present on the females of both species, as are the complete antehumeral stripes. As you say, I think the clincher is the lack of a W-bordered pronotum, which would give it deep lobes. The blue border at the rear of the pronotum is also more typical of an Azure. Next time, try to find a male!!!