Identification
The *Ischnura senegalensis*, or Common Bluetail, is a petite but striking damselfly (approx. 30mm). Males are unmistakable with their neon-green thorax and a singular, glowing "tail light" on the 8th abdominal segment—a brilliant cerulean blue that pops against their otherwise black abdomen. Look closely at the wingtips: the pterostigma (wing spot) on the forewing is uniquely bicolor, typically split between black and blue. Females are a masterclass in variation; they are polymorphic, appearing in a bright "immature" orange, a dull olive-brown, or even an "andromorph" form that mimics the male’s blue-and-green attire to avoid unwanted attention.
Habitat & Range
This is one of the most widespread damselflies on Earth, spanning from Africa across the Middle East to Japan. It is a rugged generalist, thriving in marshes, slow-moving streams, and rice paddies. Unlike most Odonata, it is remarkably salt-tolerant, often found in brackish coastal lagoons and even highly polluted urban drains where more sensitive species perish.
Behaviour
You’ll find them hugging the shoreline, rarely venturing far over open water. They are low-fliers, weaving through sedges and perching horizontally on grass blades. During mating, they form the classic damselfly "wheel." An observer will notice that these tiny sentinels are highly territorial; males will aggressively buzz rivals to defend a prime patch of reeds.
Diet
These are miniature raptors. They spend their days "gleaning"—plucking tiny aphids, midges, and mosquitoes directly from vegetation—or snatching them mid-air in a frantic, fluttering hover.
Fascinating Fact
The Common Bluetail is a true "extremophile" of the insect world. It can survive in water so saline it would dehydrate most other freshwater insects, and it has even been observed thriving in thermal springs with temperatures reaching a staggering 40°C (104°F)!