Ischnura genei

Ischnura genei
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Family:	Coenagrionidae
Genus:	Ischnura
Species:	I. genei
Binomial name
Ischnura genei (Rambur, 1842)

Ischnura genei, the Island Bluetail Damselfly, is a species of damselfly that replaces the Common Bluetail on some Mediterranean Islands (e.g., Corsica and Sardinia, where the two species are not known to coexist) - it is found on four islands. It is a small and slender damselfly that tends to be smaller and daintier than the Common Bluetail. Its main distinguishing features include a black abdomen, which in males carries a striking blue tail-light on S8. Some female colour forms, too, have a blue tail-light on S8, but it tends to be interrupted by a black mark on either end. In some other female colour forms S8 is rusty brown. The male's pterostigma is bi-coloured (as it is in Ischnura elegans). In Malta, this species is still frequent and breeds, but it is endangered by habitat loss.

Sources

• Sciberras A, Sciberras J & Magro D. (2007) "A Celebration of Dragonflies." The Malta Independent. November 19th pgs.8-9.