# Azure Damselfly (*Coenagrion puella*) The Azure Damselfly is a small, delicate insect with beautiful blue wings. They often rest on plants near water, where they can be seen darting around! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Ponds, lakes, and marshes ![Azure Damselfly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426435/objects/5510.jpg) ## Appearance The Azure Damselfly has a slender, vibrant blue body with distinctive black markings, including a "U" or "Y" shape on its second abdominal segment. Its two pairs of clear, equal-sized wings are held neatly together over its back when at rest, distinguishing it from dragonflies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Coenagrionidae - **Genus:** Coenagrion ## Interesting facts - Damselfly larvae are fierce underwater predators, snatching prey with a hinged lower lip! - Males have a special blue 'saddle' mark that helps females recognize them quickly. - They spend most of their life as underwater nymphs, sometimes for up to two years! - Unlike dragonflies, damselflies rest with their wings folded neatly over their backs. ## Special abilities - **Super Sight:** Azure Damselfly can spot tiny prey because of its giant compound eyes that help them see in almost every direction. - **Underwater Breathing:** Azure Damselfly has feathery gills at the end of its tail as a larva that helps them breathe underwater. - **Aerial Acrobat:** Azure Damselfly can dart and hover because of its two pairs of independent wings that helps them catch flying insects. - **Solar Powered:** Azure Damselfly has dark markings on its body that helps them absorb warmth from the sun to stay active. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-45 mm - **Size:** 30-35 mm - **Lifespan:** 15-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Azure Damselflies are tiny hunters, catching other small insects in the air. - **Age differences:** Larvae hunt aquatic invertebrates; adults catch flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** small flies, midges, mosquitoes, aphids, small moths - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Common House Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — Keeps mosquito populations in check near water. - **Hunts:** Non-biting Midge (*Chironomus riparius*) — Preys on midge larvae and adults near water. - **Eaten by:** Common Frog (*Rana temporaria*) — Often caught by frogs waiting at the water's edge. - **Eats:** Common Pond Skater (*Gerris lacustris*) — Preys on damselfly nymphs in the water. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Azure Damselfly? Compare wing shape and resting posture, where the eyes sit, body markings and the tail segments. Males and females can look very different in color. Dragonfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Azure Damselfly's wingspan? 35-45 mm ### How big is Azure Damselfly? 30-35 mm ### How long does Azure Damselfly live? 15-30 days ### How fast can Azure Damselfly fly? 10 km/h ### What does Azure Damselfly eat? Azure Damselflies are tiny hunters, catching other small insects in the air. ### Where is Azure Damselfly usually found? Ponds, lakes, and marshes ### How does Azure Damselfly hunt? Pursuit ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Azure Damselfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/azure-damselfly)