Habitat: Various still waters, less commonly in fens and acidic bogs.

Appearance: The Azure Bluet is fairly common throughout almost all of Europe. However, it is absent from Scotland, most of Scandinavia and the northern part of European Russia. In Belgium, it is very common on sandy soils, and in the Netherlands it is common.

Flying season: May to August.

Characteristics: Length 33–35 mm, wingspan 40–50 mm.

Life cycle: Egg-laying takes place in tandem. Normally, the male stands rigidly on top of the female, but in strong winds the male may also hold on to plants. Young larvae live on the underside of floating aquatic plants, later on the ground and amongst the bank vegetation. The life cycle lasts 1 year.