I happened across a juxtaposition of tandem pairs, one Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella) pair, ovipositing, and one Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum) pair. The two make for a very interesting comparison.
Note:
- the male Variable has complete (unbroken) antehumeral stripes, as is occasionally the case;
- these Azures do not have post-ocular bars but this is not always the case;
- these Variables do have post-ocular bars but this is not always the case;
- both species have both blue and green form females – these are both blue form – and the abdominal markings are extremely similar
- Azures U-marks most often do not have a stem joining to the abdominal suture but it is possible.
[The detail shown necessitates a large image – click on it to see a larger, more readable version.]
