Variable damselfly facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Variable damselfly
Male, shoulder stripe just broken, UK
Female, dark form, Estonia
Scientific classification

The variable damselfly, also known as the variable bluet, is a type of damselfly found across Europe. Its scientific name is Coenagrion pulchellum. Even though it's called "variable," it's not the only blue damselfly that can have different patterns on its body.

These damselflies act a lot like the azure damselfly. They usually stay close to plants and greenery. Young damselflies, called immatures, are often found in nearby fields or grassy areas that haven't been cut.

What Does It Look Like?

Male variable damselflies have a special mark on their body. On the second part of their abdomen (their belly), they have a black mark that looks like a "wine glass." This is a black U-shape with a black line connecting it to the black band at the end of that body part. This helps tell them apart from the azure damselfly, which has the U-shape but no connecting line.

• Male forms
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  Male
  S9 virtually unmarked

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  Male, shoulder stripe unbroken

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  Male, shoulder stripe broken

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  mating, with female blue form

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  mating, with young adult female blue form

• Female forms
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  immature female, blue form

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  young adult female blue form

• 

  adult female, dark form

Where Do They Live?

The variable damselfly lives all over Europe. In mainland Britain, they are found in scattered places and are not very common. However, in Ireland, they are widespread and quite common.