Species account

Dark Bluet (Coenagrion armatum)    (Charpentier, 1840)
   Pond Damselflies (Coenagrionidae) [Dragonflies]    DABL    24790
Hue-vandnymfe (dk)   Griptångsflickslända (se)  
Synonyms (common):
Norfolk Damselfly (gb)
Synonyms (scientific):
Agrion armatum minor Belyshev, 1955
Measurements:
To 31-34mm Ab 22-26mm Hw 16-21mm
Generations:
Flight period:
JFMAMJJASOND 
Scan
EU
Identification:
The only female without black on the front part of S2.
Similar species:
Life stages:
The mating takes place in land vegetation and lasts about 15 minutes. In tandem the female inserts the eggs into submerged plant material, while positioned on top of floating water plants. The eggs hatch after 3-4 weeks. The larvae overwinter in between water plants and imago-transformation takes place the following spring (1 year).
Distribution:
Patchily N and NE Europe. Also patchily through Russia and Siberia to Kamchatka, including small areas in Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. In Denmark patchily and scarce throughout Jylland; also on Bornholm.
Habitat:
Behavior:
Host plants:
All types of water plants.
Endemic:
Status
Fragmented populations in Denmark are probably declining because of eutrophication and poor ability to disperse. Probably same tendency in EU in general.
Comment:
Dark Bluet 2722    (3 photos)
2024-05-12    Nygårdsmark-søerne (Finderup), Denmark

Imago Male
Characteristic male with the extraordinary appendages shaped like oversized pincers.



Dark Bluet 2770    (1 photos)
2024-05-12    Nygårdsmark-søerne (Finderup), Denmark

Imago Male
Classic lime green male with open lower appendages.



Dark Bluet 2771    (1 photos)
2024-05-12    Nygårdsmark-søerne (Finderup), Denmark

Imago Male




Dark Bluet 2772    (1 photos)
2024-05-12    Nygårdsmark-søerne (Finderup), Denmark

Imago Male




Dark Bluet 2773    (1 photos)
2024-05-12    Nygårdsmark-søerne (Finderup), Denmark

Imago Male




Dark Bluet 2775    (1 photos)
2024-05-12    Nygårdsmark-søerne (Finderup), Denmark

Imago Male




Dark Bluet 1372    (1 photos)
2023-05-07    Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark

Imago Female
Was observed a few meters from shore, which is the common behavior of the species. Lifer!



Dark Bluet 2769    (1 photos)
2024-05-12    Nygårdsmark-søerne (Finderup), Denmark

Imago Female
Blue-pale female with classic pattern.



Dark Bluet 2774    (2 photos)
2024-05-12    Nygårdsmark-søerne (Finderup), Denmark

Imago Female
Here a female where the black diamond shape on S2 is extended with a black rectangle toward the head, and the black spot is barely separated from the black line on the thorax side.



Dark Bluet 2777    (2 photos)
2024-05-12    Nygårdsmark-søerne (Finderup), Denmark

Imago Female
Single green female with bluish tail.



Dark Bluet 2778    (1 photos)
2024-05-12    Nygårdsmark-søerne (Finderup), Denmark

Imago Female
Single green female with bluish tail.



Dark Bluet 2779    (2 photos)
2024-05-12    Nygårdsmark-søerne (Finderup), Denmark

Imago Female
A brownish female might indicate an old green female since I've seen photos of green females with a brown antehumeral stripe. Otherwise I haven't found any information about this color form.



Dark Bluet 2780    (1 photos)
2024-05-12    Vandel Mark (Billund), Denmark

Imago Female
A standard pinkish-pale-blue female with very limited black on S8.



Dark Bluet 2776    (2 photos)
2024-05-12    Nygårdsmark-søerne (Finderup), Denmark

Imago Male & Female
Tandem with green female. Perhaps about to lay eggs.