Ischnura


Ischnura is a genus of damselflies known as forktails or bluetails in the family Coenagrionidae.
The genus is distributed worldwide, including various oceanic islands. The males have a forked projection and blue segments at the tip of the abdomen which give the group their common names.

Characteristics

Forktails are small or very small damselflies. The compound eyes of mature individuals have a dark upper region and contrasting lower part. The thorax is often green and may have lateral stripes and the abdomen in males is black with a blue tip. Females of some species are polymorphic, some being orangish and darkening with age, while others resemble the male.

Species

The genus Ischnura includes the following species: