Its behaviour is much like that of the azure damselfly; it usually stays close to vegetation.

Immatures are often found in adjacent meadows or uncut grassy areas.

The male variable damselfly has a distinctive "wine glass" marking on the second segment of the abdomen.

[1] (This distinguishes it from the azure damselfly which has the U-shape but no line connecting it to the terminal band.

Scattered and uncommon in mainland Britain but widespread and common in Ireland.