Common Bluetail

If you have a garden pond, a dam, or live near a slow-moving creek anywhere in Australia, you have almost certainly met the Common Bluetail.

This dainty insect is one of the most widespread damselflies on the continent. While it might be small, the flash of electric blue on the tip of its tail makes it surprisingly easy to spot.

Identification: Look for the “Tail Light”

Because these damselflies are small (only about 3–4 cm long) and slender, you need to look closely to appreciate them.

• The Male: He is the one you will notice first.
  • Eyes: bright blue or green.
  • Body: His thorax (middle section) is usually striped with black and blue (or sometimes greeny-yellow). The abdomen is mostly black.
  • The “Tail Light”: This is the key feature. Right at the tip of his black tail (specifically on segment 8), there is a bright, solid blue ring. It looks exactly like a blue LED light has been switched on at the end of his body.
  • The “Pond Skaters”: You will often see them flying very low over the water surface, weaving through the reeds.

The Tricky Females (A Master of Disguise)

The female Common Bluetail is famous for being confusing! She is polymorphic, meaning she comes in several different colour forms.

1. The Green Form: Pale green or greyish-green (great for hiding in grass).
2. The Brown Form: A dull tan or brown colour.
3. The “Male-Mimic” (Androchrome): Some females look almost exactly like the males, complete with the blue colouration! Scientists think this might help them avoid harassment from over-eager males.

Where to Find Them

The Common Bluetail is not fussy. It is found in every state and territory in Australia, including Tasmania.

They love still or slow-moving water. You will find them in:

• Backyard fish ponds.
• Farm dams.
• Swamps and wetlands.
• Slow-flowing rivers.

Unlike the large Rockmasters that need pristine water, the Common Bluetail is quite tough and can tolerate slightly salty or polluted water, which is why they are so successful in urban areas.

A Similar Cousin: The Aurora Bluetail

Note for enthusiasts: There is another tiny damselfly often seen with the Common Bluetail called the Aurora Bluetail (Ischnura aurora).

• How to tell them apart: The Aurora is even smaller and, while it has the blue “tail light,” the rest of its body is a brilliant gold and red. It is arguably one of the most beautiful tiny insects in Australia!