Coenagrion mercuriale - Southern Damselfly - L'Agrion de Mercure

Description

A small blue and black damselfly, typical of the coenagrionids. This species is rare (Red Data Book) in the UK but is more common in continental Europe. It takes it's specific name from the mark on the second segment which is like the symbol for Mercury (though this feature is somewhat variable). The insect is small (30mm) but appears fairly robust to the observer. The preferred habitat is streams with a moderate flow on limestone or chalk. Flight peridod is May to September.

Male on Le Verdus stream, St-Guilhem-le-Desert (34), 31st May 2005

Pair in mating wheel on Le Verdus stream, St-Guilhem-le-Desert (34), 31st May 2005

Observations

31/05/2005   A few dozen males and females, including pairs in wheel and ovipositing seen on Le Verdus, St-Guilhem-le-Desert (34)

10/07/2008   3-10 males and females including a pair in tandem at the Plan d'eau near Lunas. An unusual site for this species.