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Flora & Fauna (media)
Lille Farvevandnymfe (Ischnura pumilio)    Charpentier (1825)    Vandnymfer (Coenagrionidae)    SMBL    24793
Small Bluetail (gb)   Agrion Menor (es)   Mindra Kustflickslända (se)      Synonyms: Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly (gb) Small Bluetip (gb)
Measurements:
To 26-31mm Ab 22-25mm Hw 14-18mm
Generations:
2+
Flight period:
JFMAMJJASOND 
SE
EU n
EU s
Identification:
Life stages:
Distribution:
Most of Europe; absent N and E British Isle; absent most of Fennoscandinavia with populations in S Sweden and Finland and a restricted population in Norway near Oslo. Also NW Africa and Turkey through the Middle East and former Soviet republics to China. In Denmark widespread in Jylland. Also good populations in NE Sjælland and Bornholm.
Habitat:
Behavior:
Status:
LC in Denmark. LC globally. The species is well-established but being a pioneer species it fluctuates to some degree, disappearing and emerging with the changing numbers of suited breeding sites.
Comment:
In southern Europe two or more generations can be found.
Small Bluetail 507    (4 photos)
2021-07-04    Karlstrup Kalkgrav (Solrød), Denmark

Imago ♂
The short diamond-shaped and two-colored wingmark plus the blue marking distally above on S8 are what identify it as this species.

A somewhat rare species in Denmark, and even more so east of Storebælt. My first.




Small Bluetail 1014    (1 photos)
2022-08-04    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♂
In the area close to Sydmøllehøj.

I only got aware of the species when it showed up in this photo revising back home. Which is why I can't remember exactly where I saw it. But it was either below Sydmøllehøj or along the road or in the narrow channel on the south side of Sydmølletværvej. I revisited the same spots a few days later in hope to find more, and in the that channel I had, loosely counted, around 150 Common Bluetails in a stretch of about 30 meters. To say, that this smaller and very similar species probably has been overlooked on Amager for some time. I didn't find any in the channel this other day, but one below Sydmøllehøj, 1016, why it's reasonable to belief that this was where I had this animal too.





Small Bluetail 1016    (4 photos)
2022-08-06    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♂
Sydmøllehøj.

Young with pale colors.

It was very windy today and the spot where I found it, was very wind exposed. Not to say that there will be many popping out of the reedbed without the wind, but it is certainly worth giving it a try one of the next days to see if more will show up.

I had a different one two days earlier, 1014, why I suspect or hope that there might be an actual population present.




Small Bluetail 1083    (2 photos)
2022-08-13    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♂
Sydmølletværvej.

The blue marking on top of S8 is narrower than usual.

Flying with Common Bluetail in an open low watered channel with short vegetation (sedges).





Small Bluetail 1084    (2 photos)
2022-08-13    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♂
Sydmølletværvej.

Greenish individual (not sure why the males don't get a form predicate, when the different colored females do).

Flying with Common Bluetail in an open low watered channel with short vegetation (sedges).





Small Bluetail 1085    (1 photos)
2022-08-13    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♂
Sydmølletværvej.

Flying with Common Bluetail in an open low watered channel with short vegetation (sedges).





Small Bluetail 1086    (2 photos)
2022-08-13    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♀
Sydmølletværvej.

Immature (tenerala). The incredible color of this animal is a phase of the young female called aurantica.

Flying with Common Bluetail in an open low watered channel with short vegetation (sedges).





Small Bluetail 1135    (1 photos)
2022-08-17    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♂
Sydmøllekanalen.

Typical male.
Red mite on top of head between the eyes.




Small Bluetail 1136    (2 photos)
2022-08-17    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♀
Sydmøllekanalen.

Young female, aurantica.




Small Bluetail 1134    (3 photos)
2022-08-17    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♀
Sydmøllekanalen.

Young individual, aurantica.

Defecating in photo 1.




Small Bluetail 1133    (4 photos)
2022-08-17    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♂
Sydmøllekanalen.

A teneral lime-colored male. Beautiful!




Small Bluetail 1717    (3 photos)
2023-07-09    Travbaneparken, Denmark

Imago ♂
Plejehjemsdammen.

8 different odonatas today in this small pond, with this one being the biggest surprise. I've only had it on Vestamager on Amager, in the sydmøllevej area, making this small pond a little gem - also remembering that I had my only Black Darters seen on Amager at this spot.

I only found this single animal of the species among the few Common Bluetails [Stor Farvevandnymfe].


Rare

Small Bluetail 1775    (1 photos)
2023-07-14    Travbaneparken, Denmark

Imago ♂
Plejehjemsdammen.

Still present, and perhaps two. See 1717.


Rare

Small Bluetail 2294    (4 photos)
2023-09-01    Travbaneparken, Denmark

Imago ♂
Small rain water basin.
3 different animals (1, 2, 3-4).

Same as the day after where I had 7 males. 2293.




Small Bluetail 2293    (7 photos)
2023-09-02    Travbaneparken, Denmark

Imago ♂
Small rain water basin.
7 different animals.

It's been almost two months since I found the first and only animal, a male, at this site. Today the photos revealed that 7 different males were present. No females yet, but hopefully the next week with hot weather from the south will result in some.

The appearance at a place like this is classic for the species. Newly established ponds with low water level and open banks is what it prefers.

Maybe it isn't possible to separate the 7 animals from these photos, but the large files show the differences especially in tail pattern.




Small Bluetail 2393    (1 photos)
2023-09-05    Travbaneparken, Denmark

Imago ♂
Det lille Regnvandsbassin.



Small Bluetail 2301    (5 photos)
2023-09-07    Travbaneparken, Denmark

Imago ♂
Small rain water basin.
5 different specimens and all seen today. Still no females.

Number 5 on the assumption that it is another animal because it was staying on the opposite side of the pond than the others.




Small Bluetail 2380    (1 photos)
2023-09-14    Travbaneparken, Denmark

Imago ♂
Det lille Regnvandsbassin.

Only found this one today. And being late in the season, I fear we have to accept that it is too late for any females to show up now. The Queen sends her condolences and wishes for a better season to come. I'm sure.




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