Southern damselflies are small and delicate insects. Their bright colours and unique behaviours make them interesting to nature enthusiasts. Male southern damselflies are mostly blue, while females have a combination of green, blue, and brown coloured bodies. Southern damselflies prefer a specific type of habitat that includes slow-flowing or stagnant water and are often found near shallow ponds, marshes, and ditches with lots of vegetation. Their habitats must be rich in plant life and have clean water, as both are essential for their survival and reproduction.
Like other damselflies, southern damselflies have a complex life cycle that includes egg, nymph, and adult stages. Their numbers have dropped because of habitat loss, wetland decline, and water pollution. Southern damselflies are listed as a species of conservation concern in many European countries because of these significant threats to their survival and its impact on their declining populations. In the UK, southern damselflies have strongholds in Mynydd Preseli and the New Forest, and this is part of the reason why Mynydd Preseli are designated as a Special Area of Conservation. Some of the conservation efforts here include the protection and restoration of their preferred habitats, raising awareness, and monitoring population trends.
Southern damselflies have a short flight season, which usually takes place from late May to early August. They are relatively weak fliers and tend to stay close to their breeding sites. Males are highly territorial and will defend their preferred perches or small territories against other males.