COMPARISON OF PRONOTUMS OF BLUE DAMSELFLIES

The shape of the hind margin of the pronotum is diagnostic in blue damselflies. The illustrations below are of male insects however the shape is similar in both sexes.

Common Blue Damselfly
Enallagma cyathigerum
The hind margin has a flat, shallow central lobe 		Azure Damselfly
Coenagrion puella
The hind margin is broad and flattened
Variable Damselfly
Coenagrion pulchellum
The hind margin has a prominent, narrow central lobe
Irish Damselfly
Coenagrion lunulatum
The hind margin has a distinct raised lobe

Nelson, B., Thompson, R. & Morrow, C., 2000 (August 28). [In] DragonflyIreland http://www.ulstermuseum.org.uk/dragonflyireland/

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