Photos

Coming soon, hopefully

Main features

Classification:

Odonata
	Zygoptera			Damselflies
		Coenagrionidae		Blue or red damselflies

Distinctive red eyes of the male makes it easily separated from all other damselflies except the Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas which is a little larger.

Segments 9 and 10 of the male are entirely blue, making a prominent "tail light", S2, S3 and S8 are blue sided, with black on the dorsal surface. The female lacks the blue tail and has duller yellow greenish eyes and yellowish antehumeral stripes.

Males feature a black "X" on segment 10.

Separating the two red-eyed species is not always easy:

Differences between male Erythromma najas and Erythromma viridulum

Feature	Erythromma najas	Erythromma viridulum
Abdomen	Features a grey pruinescence	Glossy black, no pruinescence
Segments	1, 9 & 10 blue, the rest are black	2, 3 & 8 also (mostly) blue. 10 features a black X mark seen from above
Wings	Wings extend to S8	Wings extend to S7
Legs	All black	Black with subtle blue stripe
Eyes	Blood red	Paler red, tomato like
Flight	May - September	July - September

 

Habitat

Similar to that of Red-eyed Damselflies; prefers still waters, lakes and ponds with dense floating vegetation.

Where to see

A recent addition to Bedfordshire's Dragonflies, the Small Red-eyed damselfly is extending it's range within the county's borders (and indeed the rest of the UK). First discovered at the Finger Lakes at Priory CP, it's been spotted at several other sites including Felmersham NR and Sundon Chalk Quarry.

Visible between early July and early September. This is later than Erythromma najas, which can be a useful aid in separating the two Red-eyed species.