INSECTS

ODONATA / DAMSELFLIES

Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens is an attractive damselfly with translucent wings marked with dark bands, usually seen near slow flowing streams and lakes on bankside vegetation during June and July. The male has a metallic-blue body and the female has a metallic-green body.

Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella has narrow blue shoulder-stripes and an extra black line extending from the forewing base a third of the way across the thorax side towards the legs assist with identification. Females are usually green, although blue forms also exist. This species has a preference for still ponds and is normally seen from May to July.

Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans is one of the commonest species of damselfly in the UK. Both sexes have two-toned diamond-shaped spots on the front wings.

Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula is normally the first damselfly species to emerge in spring. They are normally seen near wetland habitats. Black legs rule this out from being the scarcer Small Red damselfly.

Willow Emerald Damselfly Chalcolestes viridis is usually seen from July to October on trees near water where eggs are deposited in bark of willow or alder. Distinguishing features of the Willow Emerald from other Emeralds are large pale wingspots and a prominent green spur on the side of the thorax.