It is a Eurasian species occurring from the Atlantic coast eastwards to Lake Baikal and northwestern China.

The male has translucent wings which each have a broad, dark iridescent blue-black spot (or band) across the outer part.

The body can be a metallic blue or bluish green or a combination of both colours, depending on the time of year and location.

This species lives in many types of freshwater habitat, particularly open running water bodies such as streams and smaller rivers.

[4] The banded demoiselle is a Eurasian species, and is present throughout Eurasia from the Atlantic coast to Lake Baikal and north-western China.