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Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)


Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)
Photo Information
Copyright: Heinz Koloska (wallhalla15) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1801 W: 73 N: 3356] (13787)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08-18
Categories: Insects
Camera: Fujifilm Finepix S7000, Raynox DCR 250 macro lens
Exposure: f/4.9, 1/300 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2005-11-22 4:56
Viewed: 824
Points: 25
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)

Widespread and common. Adults can be seen between May and August according to locality. Similar in habits and distribution to its

close relative C. pulchellum. C. puella is less common than it on cutover bogs and mesotrophic lakes, but more common on eutrophic

sites. A lowland species avoiding exposed and upland sites, as well as all but the slowest flowing rivers.

The male Azure Damselfly is similar to the Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum and the Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma

cyathigerum but can be distinguished by the characteristic black U-shaped marking which does not join up with the black ring at the

posterior end of the second abdominal segment. In the female Azure damselfly there are two colour forms, blue and green. The blue

form is similar to the female of the Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum but can best be distinguished by examining the shape of

the pronotum. It can be distinguished from females of the Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum by the absence of a spine

below the 8th abdominal segment.

KEY IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

In males there is a characteristic black U-shaped mark on the second abdominal segment which is separate from the black ring at the

bottom of the segment
In segments 4-6 there is more blue/less black in comparison with Coenagrion pulchellum
In males the blue dorsal thoracic stripes are always complete and only slightly waisted
The hind margin of the pronotum is broad and flattened (see comparison of pronotums of blue damselflies)
Females are best identified by examining the shape of the posterior lobe of the pronotum
In females there are two black stripes on the side of the thorax
There is no spine below the 8th abdominal seg
red45, wishnugaruda, scottevers7, livios, pompey, phlr, liquidsunshine, hummingbird24, marhowie has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2816 W: 75 N: 7977] (26973)
  • [2005-11-22 5:07]

Another breath of summer with greens and blues. Great, sunny picture, great composition and details. Very interesting note. Good work Heinz!

Guten Morgen/Vormittag lieber Heinz,
Deine Libelle ist aber wunderschön. Das Licht kommt so schön von oben und bringt die Flügel zum glitzern. Zusammen mit dem saftig-grünen Hintergrund ist das ein gute-Laune Foto, vielen Dank und einen schönen Tag, bye
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • honza Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 542 W: 0 N: 678] (4051)
  • [2005-11-22 6:26]

Nice shot Heinz. Very good composition, sharpness and perfect blurred BG.

Hi Heinz,
That's a beauty! The colors are perfect here. Excellent detail, and the OOF backround of greens really contrasts well.
Scott

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2306 W: 324 N: 4306] (16856)
  • [2005-11-22 10:16]

Heinz, another great macro by you.

Excellent pov, composition and lighting.

I like bg too.

Great job.

  • Great 
  • pompey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 205 W: 4 N: 780] (2762)
  • [2005-11-22 14:03]

Great shot Heinz, lovely colours, POV,details and background.
Thanks for sharing.
Michael.

Nice shot Heinz!
It's a bit overburned, but POV and framing are fine. Good details too.
WELL DONE & TFS

  • Great 
  • phlr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1276 W: 133 N: 874] (2804)
  • [2005-11-22 14:51]

Hi Heinz!
Very beautiful blue damselfy!
Very good colors and details!
Also a complete note too!

Hi Heinz,
Excellent capture, good sharp detail and colours. Great POV and DOF.
Nicely composed and good lighting.
Thanks for posting, have a great week.

Superb capture Heinz!

I really miss seeing these guys...

This is a great composition, and you managed the back light well.

Nice colors, details, BG and POV.

Fantastic job! Thank you.

Nice detail, good lighting, consider dropping the shadows just a hair to cut back the exposure a little.

Greg

Nice work Heinz. Great color and detail. I did a workshop to try and adjust your H/S and show more wing detail. Thank you on our Thanksgiving Day here in the U.S.

  • Great 
  • Graal Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 787 W: 31 N: 20] (5002)
  • [2005-11-25 2:03]

Hi Heinz,
very good macro. I like the details, colours and DOF. Very well done.
Rgs, Aleksander

This is not C. puella but Enallagma cyathigerum, because this species has only one black line on the brestpiece( on the side of his body) while all the coenagrion species have two lines on the side of the brestpiece.
Harm

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