Species account

Azure Bluet (Coenagrion puella)    (Linnaeus, 1758)
   Pond Damselflies (Coenagrionidae) [Dragonflies]    AZBL    24786
Hestesko-vandnymfe (dk)   Azulado doncella (es)   Ljus Lyrflickslända (se)  
Synonyms (common):
Azure Damselfly (gb) Caballito del Diablo Azure (es) Agrion Donzella (es)
Synonyms (scientific):
Libellula aureus Harris, 1780
Libellula lucifugus Harris, 1780
Libellula caerulea-maculata Retzius, 1783
Libellula adelais Geoffroy in Fourcroy, 1785
Libellula dorothea Geoffroy in Fourcroy, 1785
Libellula sophia Geoffroy in Fourcroy, 1785
Agrion pupa Hansemann, 1823
Agrion furcatum Charpentier, 1825
Puella irina Brullé, 1832
Agrion annulare Stephens, 1835
Agrion ivanovi Belyshev, 1955
Agrion puella kocheri Schmidt, 1960
Measurements:
To 33-35mm Ab 22-31mm Hw 15-24mm
Generations:
Flight period:
JFMAMJJASOND 
Scan
EU
Identification:
Azure has short black lines on the side of the thorax and the shape of the black marking on S2 is resembling a horseshoe, hence the Danish name. Also it generally does not have a pale bar between the eye-spots, but this feature is variable. The S2 marking is too, but probably to a lesser degree and therefore more reliable for identification purposes. The shoulder (antehumeral) stripe is rather broad but narrows toward the rear end while staying intact, whereas on Variable it often breaks; and looks like an exclamation mark.

The pronotum of the bluets is a diagnostic feature which among females often is the best way to separate them: Azure has a gently sloping curve with a wide central lobe.
Similar species:
Life stages:
Mating takes place in the vegetation close to the water and lasts 10-15 minutes. In tandem the female inserts the eggs into stems and leaves of water plants, while resting on floating plants. Rarely submerges. The eggs hatch after 3-4 weeks, and the larvae live in-between fresh water plants or bottom-material and develop during 1-2 years. The imago-transformation takes place near the water.
Distribution:
Most of Europe; absent southern Spain and northern two third of Fennoscandinavia. Also N Africa and patchily through Russia and W Asia to W Siberia and Kazakhstan. In Denmark widespread and present in all regions including most islands.
Habitat:
Behavior:
Host plants:
Tusindblad (Myriophyllum)
Frøbid (Hydrocharis)
Gul Åkande (Nuphar)
Vandaks (Potamogeton)
Endemic:
Status
One of the most widespread and common bluets in Denmark, and Europe. Amager
Comment:
Mature male
Mature female

Azure Bluet 631    (1 photos)
2021-06-07    Store Hareskov (nordsjælland), Denmark

Imago Male
Teneral, but with well-marked markings on S2.



Azure Bluet 499    (1 photos)
2021-06-08    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago Male
Here an individual with pale bar between the eye-spots. That the S2 marking looks like a horseshoe, may not always be so obvious in photos.



Azure Bluet 572    (1 photos)
2021-06-16    Børstingerød Mose (sjælland), Denmark

Imago Male




Azure Bluet 573    (1 photos)
2021-06-16    Børstingerød Mose (sjælland), Denmark

Imago Male




Azure Bluet 574    (1 photos)
2021-06-16    Børstingerød Mose (sjælland), Denmark

Imago Male
Don't know if I should be worried when so many of the individuals I id as this species show the pale blue bar between the eyes? The S2 marking looks very good for the species, as does the shoulder stripe, so I guess I have to conclude for now that the eye bar is a very variable character.



Azure Bluet 576    (1 photos)
2021-06-16    Teglstrup Hegn (nordsjælland), Denmark

Imago Male
Fandens hul.

Yet another male with a strong pale bar between the eyes, but otherwise typical field marks.



Azure Bluet 695    (1 photos)
2022-05-23    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago Male
Immature.



Azure Bluet 697    (2 photos)
2022-05-23    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago Male
Immature.



Azure Bluet 696    (1 photos)
2022-05-23    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago Male
Immature.



Azure Bluet 694    (1 photos)
2022-05-23    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago Male
Immature.



Azure Bluet 692    (1 photos)
2022-05-23    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago Male
Immature



Azure Bluet 691    (2 photos)
2022-05-23    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago Male
Immature.



Azure Bluet 689    (2 photos)
2022-05-23    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago Male
Immature gaining mature colors.



Azure Bluet 686    (1 photos)
2022-05-23    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago Male
Immature in process of gaining blue adult color.



Azure Bluet 708    (1 photos)
2022-05-29    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago Male




Azure Bluet 824    (1 photos)
2022-06-18    Teglstrup Hegn (nordsjælland), Denmark

Imago Male
Teneral.



Azure Bluet 825    (1 photos)
2022-06-18    Teglstrup Hegn (nordsjælland), Denmark

Imago Male




Azure Bluet 1422    (1 photos)
2023-05-26    Hedeland (nature trail), Denmark

Imago Male
South side of water holes along Herredsfogedvej.



Azure Bluet 1421    (1 photos)
2023-05-26    Hedeland (nature trail), Denmark

Imago Male
South side of water holes along Herredsfogedvej.



Azure Bluet 1420    (1 photos)
2023-05-26    Hedeland (nature trail), Denmark

Imago Male
South side of water holes along Herredsfogedvej.



Azure Bluet 1485    (1 photos)
2023-06-05    Allgunnens Naturreservat (Kalmar), Sweden

Imago Male
Just to mark the species for the trip.



Azure Bluet 1560    (1 photos)
2023-06-07    Valdemarsvik (Östergötland), Sweden

Imago Male
Pale thorax but otherwise classic male.



Azure Bluet 1555    (1 photos)
2023-06-07    Valdemarsvik (Östergötland), Sweden

Imago Male




Azure Bluet 3159    (1 photos)
2025-05-17    Tamosen (Suserup), Denmark

Imago Male
An individual with a strong line between the eyes, but otherwise very Azure-like.



Azure Bluet 578    (3 photos)
2021-06-16    Teglstrup Hegn (nordsjælland), Denmark

Imago Female
The shape of the pronotum spot on for the species.



Azure Bluet 575    (1 photos)
2021-06-16    Børstingerød Mose (sjælland), Denmark

Imago Female
Maybe it is just dirt at the distal part of the abdomen, otherwise a regular female with all black upper side to abdomen and no bar between the eyes.



Azure Bluet 690    (1 photos)
2022-05-23    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago Female
Immature



Azure Bluet 693    (1 photos)
2022-05-23    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago Female
Immature.



Azure Bluet 687    (1 photos)
2022-05-23    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago Female
Immature, half pale. Assuming this species over Variable. The lack of a pale bar between the eye-spots support this (according to Smallshire and Swash), though I remain to find this character reliable since I've seen many Azure that has it. Perhaps it is population distinct feature, mostly shown by British animals?



Azure Bluet 688    (1 photos)
2022-05-23    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago Female
Immature.
Not sure if it is of this species, or Variable. I can't figure out the shape of the hind-border of the pronotum. This supposedly diagnostic feature is often not possible to see on my photos, and perhaps not always possible at all. Perhaps only on adult looking animals?



Azure Bluet 706    (1 photos)
2022-05-29    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago Female
Immature..



Azure Bluet 1142    (1 photos)
2022-06-16    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago Female




Azure Bluet 822    (1 photos)
2022-06-18    Teglstrup Hegn (nordsjælland), Denmark

Imago Female
With mites.



Azure Bluet 498    (2 photos)
2021-06-08    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago Male & Female
The fieldmarks obscured, I guess one has to trust that the green individual is in fact an Azure female.



Azure Bluet 1141    (1 photos)
2022-06-16    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago Male & Female
Mating wheel.



Azure Bluet 823    (1 photos)
2022-06-18    Teglstrup Hegn (nordsjælland), Denmark

Imago Male & Female
Mating wheel.