It is a small and slender damselfly that tends to be smaller and daintier than the common bluetail.

Its main distinguishing features include a black abdomen, which in males carries a striking blue tail-light on S8.

Some female colour forms, too, have a blue tail-light on S8, but it tends to be interrupted by a black mark on either end.

The male's pterostigma is bi-coloured (as it is in Ischnura elegans).

In Malta, this species is still frequent and breeds, but it is endangered by habitat loss.