Dragonfly-Days
.....for South Wales Dragonfly enthusiasts
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www.dragonfly-days.co.uk © Bill Jones 2008
The following dragonfly and damselfly species have been recorded from Gwent (Monmouthshire) and also the Glamorgan area that this website covers, simply click on any image below to see a larger version of the image in another window.
Where possible I have included photographs of both male and female, many species change dramatically from the early stages to maturity, and further study using one of the recommended fieldguides will help you better understand these changes and save much confusion and aid correct identification.
Where possible I have included photographs of both male and female, many species change dramatically from the early stages to maturity, and further study using one of the recommended fieldguides will help you better understand these changes and save much confusion and aid correct identification.
| Flight season is mid May through to early September |
Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo
Generally favours fast flowing streams and rivers with gravel or silt beds without pollution. Enjoys dappled shade more so than the Banded Demoiselle, but needs full sun without too much bankside tree shading.
Often found earlier in their flight season along with Large Red Damselfly. The female is quite similar to the Banded Demoiselle female, but on closer inspection has broader wings suffused with a brown tint. Both Demoiselle species have pseudo-pterostigma, hardly noticable without close inspection, which is often tolerated.
Often found earlier in their flight season along with Large Red Damselfly. The female is quite similar to the Banded Demoiselle female, but on closer inspection has broader wings suffused with a brown tint. Both Demoiselle species have pseudo-pterostigma, hardly noticable without close inspection, which is often tolerated.
Beautiful Demoiselle males are distinguished from the male Banded Demoiselle by virtue of the entire wing being a dark blackish-brown.
The males are not too territorial, and can often be approached with some care by the observer where it appears to 'stand' on a favourite perch, to which it often returns if disturbed.
Often locally abundant, on the River Usk I have counted dozens perched up on Himalayan Balsam which I feel is a much favoured plant.
The males are not too territorial, and can often be approached with some care by the observer where it appears to 'stand' on a favourite perch, to which it often returns if disturbed.
Often locally abundant, on the River Usk I have counted dozens perched up on Himalayan Balsam which I feel is a much favoured plant.
Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens
| Flight season early May lasting to early September |
Slowly flowing streams, canals and rivers are the preferred habitat choice of Banded Demoiselle providing there is muddy sediment. Often found in meadows near an open bankside in company with Beautiful Demoiselle if there are gravel or pebble areas as well for the latter.
Females have narrower and more greenish wings than the very similar female Beautiful Demoiselle, they require unpolluted water for breeding purposes.
The Demoiselle's are Britain's largest damselflies.
Females have narrower and more greenish wings than the very similar female Beautiful Demoiselle, they require unpolluted water for breeding purposes.
The Demoiselle's are Britain's largest damselflies.
The male Banded Demoiselle is very territorial and defends a small piece of territory against all other encroaching males.
Unmistakable with its electric blue green metallic body and blue and blackish wing patches. Very happy to allow close observation, photographs can prove quite easy to obtain with a 'softly softly' approach.
Often encountered in good numbers where habitat requirements are most suitable...a stunning insect.
Unmistakable with its electric blue green metallic body and blue and blackish wing patches. Very happy to allow close observation, photographs can prove quite easy to obtain with a 'softly softly' approach.
Often encountered in good numbers where habitat requirements are most suitable...a stunning insect.
Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa
| Flight season mid or late May until early October |
The Emerald Damselfly perches with it's wings held half open. Females are duller than males and apart from having brown eyes where the male has blue, it also has brown on the thorax and abdomen while the male has blue. Note also it's jerky flight pattern.
Often found in areas that have acid bog pools and there are many such pools found in particular on the higher ground in South Wales. Nevertheless it also tolerates far more brackish conditions and can be encountered on the coastal plains. Ponds, canals and lake margins are also favoured providing there is lots of plant cover. It is not as common as some of the 'blue' species' but still not uncommon within the area.
Often found in areas that have acid bog pools and there are many such pools found in particular on the higher ground in South Wales. Nevertheless it also tolerates far more brackish conditions and can be encountered on the coastal plains. Ponds, canals and lake margins are also favoured providing there is lots of plant cover. It is not as common as some of the 'blue' species' but still not uncommon within the area.
White-legged Damselfly Platycnemis pennipes
| Flight season is mid May until mid August |
White-legged Damselfly has not yet been recorded from Glamorgan, and it's hard to understand why, there are several locations within the county
which seem perfectly suitable for the species - could it possibly be here somewhere yet still not discovered?
When you see this species close up it's immediately apparent why it's so named, the off white legs are also thicker than most other species of comparitive size. The photograph to the right shows the brighter blue coloured male using it's anal clasper to hold the more sombre coloured female prior to copulation.
Locally distributed in Gwent (Monmouthshire) along both the Rivers Usk and the Wye and to a lesser extent the Monnow. It is often found in similar habitat to the Banded Demoiselle, slow flowing, muddy bottomed rivers and streams. Interestingly it is the only Damselfly (excepting Demoiselles) that have a courtship display, the male flutters in front of the female dangling it's hair covered white legs, if receptive she will succumb to mating, the eggs are laid while the insects are in tandem.
which seem perfectly suitable for the species - could it possibly be here somewhere yet still not discovered?
When you see this species close up it's immediately apparent why it's so named, the off white legs are also thicker than most other species of comparitive size. The photograph to the right shows the brighter blue coloured male using it's anal clasper to hold the more sombre coloured female prior to copulation.
Locally distributed in Gwent (Monmouthshire) along both the Rivers Usk and the Wye and to a lesser extent the Monnow. It is often found in similar habitat to the Banded Demoiselle, slow flowing, muddy bottomed rivers and streams. Interestingly it is the only Damselfly (excepting Demoiselles) that have a courtship display, the male flutters in front of the female dangling it's hair covered white legs, if receptive she will succumb to mating, the eggs are laid while the insects are in tandem.
Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula
| Flight season mid April until late July |
Be assured that Spring has truly arrived when this beauty is seen, the first of our native British species on the wing. The only problems with identity arise when trying to distinguish the three seperate female varieties of this species namely f.melanotum, f.fulvipes and f.intermedia - distinguished respectively by a lot of black on the abdomen, little black on the abdomen and in between
.....are you confused yet, go buy that fieldguide and it all becomes much clearer...I hope!!!
Ponds, pools and canals as well as ditches and acid bogs are the more favoured haunts of the Large Red, though you may also encounter it 'sunbathing' on brambles and hedgerows a little way from it's usual habitat.
Large Red Damselflies are a favourite prey item of the Emperor Dragonfly often to the exclusion of all other damselflies.
.....are you confused yet, go buy that fieldguide and it all becomes much clearer...I hope!!!
Ponds, pools and canals as well as ditches and acid bogs are the more favoured haunts of the Large Red, though you may also encounter it 'sunbathing' on brambles and hedgerows a little way from it's usual habitat.
Large Red Damselflies are a favourite prey item of the Emperor Dragonfly often to the exclusion of all other damselflies.
Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma najas
| Flight season late May until mid August |
This damselfly is regarded as only locally common on the Welsh borders, however the Glamorgan Dragonfly Recorder Mike Powell was the first person to see one in Vice County 41 (at Cardiff Bay Wetlands) during the Summer of 2006, so it would appear that it's extending its range in Wales. In Gwent it has recently been recorded for the first time at The British, a small lake within the Pontypool area. I have as yet no personal experience of this species and therefore no photograph is available.
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella
| Flight season early or mid May until late August |
Very common throughout the region, but a species that seems to prefer the smaller
ponds and pools preferably with shelter and lots of foliage, often seen away from water in wet meadows and mature rough grassland.
90% of Azure females are green, the remaider are blue and often mistaken for males, the difference for ID purposes are found in the distinctly different abdominal segments, and this is another of those species that will no doubt benefit from the study of one of our recommended fieldguides (see Books).
.
Azure, Common Blue and the much rarer Variable Damselfly can often be confused but
are a wonderful example of why studying and photographing these fascinating insects can become so addictive.
ponds and pools preferably with shelter and lots of foliage, often seen away from water in wet meadows and mature rough grassland.
90% of Azure females are green, the remaider are blue and often mistaken for males, the difference for ID purposes are found in the distinctly different abdominal segments, and this is another of those species that will no doubt benefit from the study of one of our recommended fieldguides (see Books).
.
Azure, Common Blue and the much rarer Variable Damselfly can often be confused but
are a wonderful example of why studying and photographing these fascinating insects can become so addictive.
| Dig a garden pond to attract the superb blue Damselflies |
Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum
| Flight season mid May extending into August |
No photograph yet taken in South Wales to show you this damselfly, in fact I'm still waiting to see one!! On the Somerset Levels which are just across the Severn they favour drainage ditches and slow flowing waterways and rivers, it's a bit of puzzle as to why they are not more widespread in South Wales.
They have been recorded from the Newport area within Gwent and Kenfig NNR and Park Slip Nature Park, Glamorgan. Being very similar to Azure Damselfly they need close scrutiny before confirming identification, it could be that far more field work needs to be done with regards the true status of this species in our area.
They have been recorded from the Newport area within Gwent and Kenfig NNR and Park Slip Nature Park, Glamorgan. Being very similar to Azure Damselfly they need close scrutiny before confirming identification, it could be that far more field work needs to be done with regards the true status of this species in our area.
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum
| Flight season May until September |
Probably the regions most common damselfly and a species that can be found in a great variety of habitat choice including ponds, pools, canals, lakes, slow flowing rivers and streams and neither acidic or alkaline conditions deter them.
No doubt the bluest of all our blue damselflies, a species that seems to enjoy water cover such as water lilies to fly out over and also emergent rush like species to perch and rest upon.
The immature male is often a shade of weak lilac before maturing into the electric blue of the adult, whereas the female has far more black in all it's segments even in the immature stage, to confuse there is also a 'drab' form where the female is yellow in immaturity and the male is green in maturity....now have'nt I kept telling you to buy that field guide and start swotting up on ID!!
Look out for the 'club' mark on abdominal segments 1 and 2 because once you know how to identify the Common Blue the other blues are easier....I think...Ha!!
No doubt the bluest of all our blue damselflies, a species that seems to enjoy water cover such as water lilies to fly out over and also emergent rush like species to perch and rest upon.
The immature male is often a shade of weak lilac before maturing into the electric blue of the adult, whereas the female has far more black in all it's segments even in the immature stage, to confuse there is also a 'drab' form where the female is yellow in immaturity and the male is green in maturity....now have'nt I kept telling you to buy that field guide and start swotting up on ID!!
Look out for the 'club' mark on abdominal segments 1 and 2 because once you know how to identify the Common Blue the other blues are easier....I think...Ha!!
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura pumilio
| Flight season late May until late September |
Not as scarce as the name actually suggests, it is locally distributed throughout it's region but probably overlooked.
It is not a lover of dense vegetation, prefering shallow water such as those provided on Gelligaer and Dowlais Commons in Glamorgan and several such locations on the northern hills of Gwent, in such locations livestock often keep the areas in and around their habitat grazed and open.
Spring fed seepages and even water filled ruts can support colonies albeit the latter frustratingly for a limited period.
Often confused with Blue-tailed, the flight is weak and often low, but the Scarce Blue-tailed males have their 'blue-tails' nearer to the tip than the Blue-tailed Damselfly. Immature females are easily spotted and identified by their orangey coloured abdomens.
I need to do far more field work and get more photo's of this interesting and somewhat enigmatic damselfly.
It is not a lover of dense vegetation, prefering shallow water such as those provided on Gelligaer and Dowlais Commons in Glamorgan and several such locations on the northern hills of Gwent, in such locations livestock often keep the areas in and around their habitat grazed and open.
Spring fed seepages and even water filled ruts can support colonies albeit the latter frustratingly for a limited period.
Often confused with Blue-tailed, the flight is weak and often low, but the Scarce Blue-tailed males have their 'blue-tails' nearer to the tip than the Blue-tailed Damselfly. Immature females are easily spotted and identified by their orangey coloured abdomens.
I need to do far more field work and get more photo's of this interesting and somewhat enigmatic damselfly.
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ishnura elegans
| Flight season May until end the of September |
Perhaps the Blue-tailed Damsefly in it's several forms
is the damselfly that causes more confusion than any of the others, so now I stress once again the importance of a good field guide. (see Books)
The lower photographs show two of the colour forms of the female of the species, the males are more straight forward to ID going through teneral, immature and adult phases...average adult survival lasts just 10 days!!
is the damselfly that causes more confusion than any of the others, so now I stress once again the importance of a good field guide. (see Books)
The lower photographs show two of the colour forms of the female of the species, the males are more straight forward to ID going through teneral, immature and adult phases...average adult survival lasts just 10 days!!
Not a lover of acidic waters, but most waters are tolerated in preferably lowland locations providing they're not fast flowing. Will tolerate pollution that other's will not, even brackish conditions are used.
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