Dainty Damselfly

Fork Damselfly ( Coenagrion scitulum ); Males with prey.

The fork Azure Damselfly ( Coenagrion scitulum ) is a mainly used in the Mediterranean species of dragonfly in the family Coenagrionidae ( Coenagrionidae ).

Features

The fork - Azurjungfer reaches a wingspan of three to four centimeters. The males have a relatively smaller body size than other Azurjungfern and have a black and blue coloration on the thorax and the abdomen segments, creating a likelihood of confusion especially with the more common Southern Damselfly (C. caerulescens ). This has slightly smaller Blue shares on the third and fourth abdominal segment and a slightly longer Flügelmal ( pterostigma ). In photos, the two species are, however, very difficult to distinguish. A reliable determination is usually possible only by using the front chest.

Distribution and habitat

The fork - Azurjungfer lives in rich vegetation, standing and flowing waters in the northern Mediterranean region from Portugal to Asia Minor, partly also in North Africa. However, when they host proliferation also occurs in northern latitudes. So they had established in the years 1946 to 1953 in Essex, England. Messages such as from Germany are so far very rare and limited to Baden, Bavaria, North Rhine -Westphalia and Rhineland -Palatinate -. During the three latter states also get the most recent evidence in the years 2006 and 2007, also from Switzerland are newer finds. Especially in warmer years can be expected with sporadic occurrence of the species in Central Europe time and again, to the longer-term colonization of suitable heat -privileged waters.

Way of life

The flight time of the fork - Azurjungfer falls in the period from mid-May to early September, the main flight time is June and July. The mating behavior is consistent with other Azurjungfern, but the males fly mainly above the water surface rather than in the field of vegetation. The sporadic finds of individuals of the species in Central Europe indicate a high Vagilität. Very little is known about the mating, oviposition and larval development.