Coenagrion ornatum

The fairy horse Coenagrion ornatum belongs to the family of narrow-winged or marsh fairy horses (Coenagrionidae, class Insecta). The genus Coenagrion includes 42 species, of which 13 species are found in Europe, while in R.N. Macedonia 4 species have been observed. The total body length of this species is 30 ÷ 31 [mm] of which 20 ÷ 27 [mm] are on the abdomen, and the hind wings are 18 ÷ 20 [mm]. The width of the head of this dragonfly is twice the length. The wings have been shown solely to give a sense of proportion. There are no stripes on the sides of the abdomen, while the lower part of the chest is not black. The legs are black or dark gray. In males, the posterior edge of the pronotum (a solid shield that lies behind the head and protects the first part of the neck and chest from the top) has three almost identical growths. The eyes and the entire front of the head are light blue or blue. On the second abdominal segment, the black spot has the shape of the letter "U", while the fifth of the following segments is in the form of an awl. The lower (dorsal) side of the 10th abdominal segment is light blue with black spots. Females are bluish or greenish-yellow with black stripes. In them the posterior edge of the pronotum is deeply incised, while the abdomen is considerably thicker. It differs from females of other species by the smaller number of black spots on the abdomen, while the blue-green spots cover almost half of each of the segments. This species flies in the period from early May to mid-August.   Coenagrion ornatum is most commonly found in carbonate-rich running waters, especially small open rivers and streams or canals with aquatic and floating vegetation. This species is rare in western, northwestern and central Europe, and significant populations are found in eastern and southeastern Europe, as well as in Asia Minor and the Caucasus. In addition to PP Ezerani, this species in R.N. Macedonia is also registered in a canal near the village of Rzanicino, at the confluence of the Zrnovska River into the Bregalnica River as well as at the confluence of the Zletovica River in Bregalnica, then in the Mavrovo and Galicica National Parks (Dzafa pond and Stenjsko Blato) and several other sites. It is stated in Annex II of the Habitat Directive, while in R.N. Macedonia has the status of protected wild species.