Crescent Bluet
VU

Crescent Bluet

Coenagrion lunulatum

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_damselfly

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Irish Damselfly faces severe habitat degradation from agricultural intensification and drainage of its specialized wetland environments. Eutrophication from agricultural runoff has altered water chemistry in many of its remaining sites, while climate change threatens the delicate hydrological balance of the shallow, calcium-rich waters it requires. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions from habitat modification.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Irish Damselfly inhabits shallow, calcium-rich lakes, ponds, and slow-flowing streams with abundant emergent vegetation, particularly in areas with marl substrates. It requires clean, well-oxygenated waters with specific chemical conditions and dense stands of aquatic plants for egg-laying and larval development.

Other threatened species in Coenagrionidae

Large RedeyeVU

Large Redeye

Erythromma najas

Unknown
Blue-eyeVU

Blue-eye

Erythromma lindenii

Unknown
Northern DamselflyCR

Northern Damselfly

Coenagrion hastulatum

Unknown
Dark BluetEN

Dark Bluet

Coenagrion armatum

Unknown

Threatened in Armenia

Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown
Asian HoubaraVU

Asian Houbara

Chlamydotis macqueenii

Declining
Blind SnailVU

Blind Snail

Cecilioides acicula

Unknown
EN

Zangezurian Cornflower

Psephellus zangezuri

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Crescent Bluet classified as Vulnerable?
Crescent Bluet is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Irish Damselfly faces severe habitat degradation from agricultural intensification and drainage of its specialized wetland environments. Eutrophication from agricultural runoff has altered water chemistry in many of its remaining sites, while climate change threatens the delicate hydrological balance of the shallow, calcium-rich waters it requires. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to local extinctions from habitat modification.
Where does Crescent Bluet live?
Crescent Bluet occurs in Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, and China (plus 23 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Crescent Bluet?
The main threats to Crescent Bluet are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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