[2] It is common and widespread in northern Finland, scarce and local in the Netherlands and Ireland and rare elsewhere.

The alternative name, crescent bluet, refers to the shape of the markings on segment two of the male and its scientific name.

The species can be identified using the following features: Coenagrion lunulatum is uncommon in Ireland and is confined to the midlands and north.

It is found on sheltered mesotrophic lakes and large pools, fens and cutover bogs.

One of the places it has been successfully recorded and photographed is Brackagh Moss, in County Armagh but it is probably extinct there.