Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa)

OTHER NAMES: Common Spreadwing
Latin Etymology: Lestes (?) sponsa ("bride")

Adult Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa) at Geddington, Northants - July 2011

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Length: 33mm  /  Wingspan: ?
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Although, to me at least the name suggests this species would be green all over, this is misleading, infact, it merely has a green patch on its back. It is apparently a weaker flyer than other common damselfly species, and doesn't move far. Generally quite delicate, it isn't as noticable as some other common species either.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Lestidae
Genus: Lestes 
SUBSPECIES:  None - monotypic

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Blue-Tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans)

OTHER NAMES: Common Bluetip, Common Bluetip
Latin Etymology: Ischnura (?) elegans ("elegant")

Adult Blue-tailed Damselfly (subspecies I. e. elegens) at Geddington, Northants - July 2010

Featured Subspecies: Ischnura elegans elegans
Length: 30mm  /  Wingspan: 40mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Another blue damselfly, this one is more distinctive than most - note the black body and blue band on the tail. The females come in a wide variety of colour forms which may complicate identification.  This is one of the most widespread odonata species in the UK, found in almost every corner of the British Isles other than mountainous areas.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Coenagrionidae
Genus: Ischnura
SUBSPECIES: I. e. aurantica, I. e. ebneri, I. e. elegans, I. e. marquardti, I. e. mortoni, I. e. pontica, I. e. rufescens

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington and various other sites

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red ListRSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .