Spearheads and green sidebars: The northern damselfly up close

The northern damselfly (Coenagrion hastulatum) is a delicate, slender insect known for its slow, low, and fluttery flight, rarely straying far from aquatic vegetation. Despite its gentle movement, it is an agile aerial predator, plucking mosquitoes, midges, and small butterflies straight out of mid-air. Its species name, hastulatum, derives from the Latin hastula (“small spear”), perfectly describing the distinct spearhead marking on the second segment of the male’s abdomen. While males sport vibrant blue and black bands, females contrast sharply with black upper bodies and striking pea-green sides. I encountered this species alongside two other distinct damselflies at a riverside campsite in Finland. All three shared the exact same patch of shoreline that morning—a stunning showcase of micro-diversity right outside my tent door.

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