# Blue-tailed Damselfly (*Ischnura elegans*) The Blue-tailed Damselfly is a tiny insect that loves to hang out near water. Its bright blue tail makes it really easy to recognize! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Ponds, lakes, and wetlands ![Blue-tailed Damselfly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425821/objects/5511.jpg) ## Appearance The Blue-tailed Damselfly is a slender insect, typically dark with bright blue markings. Males usually have a distinct blue segment on their abdomen near the tip. Females can vary in color but often have blue or greenish markings and a small blue spot on the top of the eighth abdominal segment. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Coenagrionidae - **Genus:** Ischnura ## Interesting facts - Some females change color as they get older. - Their wings can beat up to 30 times a second. - They often rest with their wings folded neatly together. - They start their lives as tiny predators underwater! ## Special abilities - **360 Vision:** Blue-tailed Damselfly has large compound eyes that help them see all around, making them excellent hunters and escape artists. - **Water Breathers:** Blue-tailed Damselfly nymphs can breathe underwater using gill-like structures, allowing them to live and hunt submerged. - **Tail-Spot ID:** The Blue-tailed Damselfly males have a striking blue tip on their abdomen that helps them identify each other and attract mates. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-40 mm - **Size:** 27-32 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-28 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These tiny hunters feast on small flying insects they catch in the air. - **Age differences:** Nymphs hunt aquatic invertebrates underwater, while adults catch flying insects in the air. - **Primary Foods:** Midges, Mosquitoes, Small flies, Aphids - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Common Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Adults hunt these for food. - **Hunts:** Common Mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — Adults catch mosquitoes mid-air. - **Eaten by:** Common Frog (*Rana temporaria*) — Adult damselflies can be prey. - **Eaten by:** Three-spined Stickleback (*Gasterosteus aculeatus*) — Fish often prey on nymphs. ## 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. ## 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 Blue-tailed 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 Blue-tailed Damselfly's wingspan? 30-40 mm ### How big is Blue-tailed Damselfly? 27-32 mm ### How long does Blue-tailed Damselfly live? 14-28 days ### How fast can Blue-tailed Damselfly fly? 8 km/h ### What does Blue-tailed Damselfly eat? These tiny hunters feast on small flying insects they catch in the air. ### Where is Blue-tailed Damselfly usually found? Ponds, lakes, and wetlands ### How does Blue-tailed 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: [Blue-tailed Damselfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-tailed-damselfly)