Coenagrion mercuriale (Charpentier, 1840)

Small-sized species (27-31 mm), with males identified by the typical 2^nd abdominal segment mark, being similar to a “Mercury’s helmet” (the scientific name comes from there), by the black posterior band on the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th abdominal segments, extending forward laterally (these extensions are thicker and very shorter than those in C. puella) and by the lozenge-shaped, dark pterostigmas. As in other Coenagrion species, females are identified thanks to the pronotum shape. 

In flight from May to July.

You can find it by springs, small streams and sunny meadow streamlets, rich in aquatic and riparian vegetation. 

A rare and localized species, included in the annex II of the European Directive “Habitat 92/43/CE”: it has been found in five sites with suitable habitat in the Cuneo region. Two of these, unfortunately, disappeared because of habitat modification.