Photos

Various pictures of Banded Demoiselle - Calopteryx splendens, taken around Bedfordshire.

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  Male, near Kempston Mill
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  Male, Bromham Bridge
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  Male, near Kempston Mill
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  Female, near Kempston Mill
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  Female, near Kempston Mill
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  Female, near Kempston Mill, flexing its wings
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  Female, River Great Ouse near Bromham, shows the white pseudo pterostigma well

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  Male, Felmersham NR
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  Female, River Great Ouse near Kempston Mill
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  Group of males, near the Biddenham country walk
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  Male, near the Biddenham country walk
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  Male, near the Biddenham country walk
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  Male, near the Biddenham country walk
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  Female, near the Biddenham country walk

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  Female, near the Biddenham country walk, eating an unfortunate fly
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  Female, near the Biddenham country walk, eating an unfortunate fly
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  Female, near the Biddenham country walk, eating an unfortunate fly
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  A pair "in cop" near the Biddenham country walk. This is a high speed sequence that shows them achieving the wheel position
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  A pair "in cop" near the Biddenham country walk. This is a high speed sequence that shows them achieving the wheel position
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  A pair "in cop" near the Biddenham country walk. This is a high speed sequence that shows them achieving the wheel position
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  Pair "in cop" near the Biddenham country walk. This is a high speed sequence that shows them achieving the wheel position

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  Pair "in cop" near the Biddenham country walk. This is a high speed sequence that shows them achieving the wheel position
• 
  Pair "in cop" near the Biddenham country walk. This is a high speed sequence that shows them achieving the wheel position
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  Two males caught in a spiders web
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  Female, Kempston Mill
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  Female, Kempston Mill
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  Female, Kempston Mill
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  Female, Kempston Mill

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  Female, Kempston Mill
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  Female at Kempston Mill. Slightly unusual colouring, more gold iridescence than usual, and paler on the underside

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Main Features

Large fluttering damselfly common in Bedfordshire.

The male is unmistakable with its metallic blue body and prominently pigmented wings. The female is plainer, with a metallic green body and greenish wings.

Could be mistaken for the Beautiful Demoiselle, but this doesn't occur in Bedfordshire.

Habitat

Common along rivers and emergent vegetation, but often found a fair distance from water, usually with many individuals in the same area, all defending their territory.

Where to see

Very common along the River Great Ouse between Kempston and Bromham. Masses of them can be seen along the River Ivel between Biggleswade and Sandy, and at Warren Villas.

Visible between mid May and mid September.