Common Bluetail vs Oberthur's Grizzled Skipper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Bluetail Oberthur's Grizzled Skipper
Scientific Name Ischnura elegans Pyrgus armoricanus
Order Odonata Lepidoptera
Family Coenagrionidae Hesperiidae
Size 27-35 mm 24-28 mm wingspan
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Grasslands
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, Asia Southern and central Europe, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Common Bluetail

A small damselfly with a distinctive blue tail-light on segment eight of the abdomen. Females occur in multiple color forms including violet, green, and brown.

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Did You Know?

Females exist in at least five distinct color forms, a level of polymorphism rare among damselflies.

Oberthur's Grizzled Skipper

A small greyish-brown skipper with white spots, very similar to related species but with distinct underside markings. It prefers warmer, drier habitats than most other grizzled skippers.

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Did You Know?

It can produce two or three generations per year in warm Mediterranean climates but only one in the north.