Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas


Photos

Various pictures of Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas taken at different sites.

  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P1983
    Male, Felmersham NR
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P1986
    Male, Felmersham NR
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2010
    Male, Felmersham NR
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2026
    Male, Felmersham NR
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2217
    Male, Felmersham NR
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2226
    Male, Felmersham NR
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2237
    Male, Felmersham NR
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2239
    Male, Felmersham NR
    Shows the distinctive grey pruinescence, a feature that separates the two Erythromma species.
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2272
    Male, Felmersham NR
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2352
    Male, Felmersham NR
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2384
    Pair ovipositing, Felmersham NR
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2392
    Male, Felmersham NR
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2394
    Pair ovipositing, Felmersham NR. An interesting sequence of pictures showing the gradual submergence as the female oviposits at successively lower depths.
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2395
    Pair ovipositing, Felmersham NR. An interesting sequence of pictures showing the gradual submergence as the female oviposits at successively lower depths.
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2396
    Pair ovipositing, Felmersham NR. An interesting sequence of pictures showing the gradual submergence as the female oviposits at successively lower depths.
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2397
    Pair ovipositing, Felmersham NR. An interesting sequence of pictures showing the gradual submergence as the female oviposits at successively lower depths.
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2399
    Pair ovipositing, Felmersham NR. An interesting sequence of pictures showing the gradual submergence as the female oviposits at successively lower depths.
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2400
    Male, Felmersham NR, taking an interest in a freshly emerged Common Blue Damselfly - Enallagma cyathigerum
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2404
    Pair "in cop" at Felmersham NR
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2411
    Male, with a captured female Common Blue Damselfly - Enallagma cyathigerum - quite a large meal!
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2547
    Male, Priory CP
  • Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas: A3P2549
    Male, Priory CP
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Main features

Distinctive red eyes of the male makes it easily separated from all other damselflies except the Small Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma viridulum.

Segments 9 and 10 of the male are blue, making a prominent "tail light", the female lacks the blue tail and has duller brownish red eyes.

Larger than the other blue damselflies, strong flier.

Separating the two red-eyed species is not always easy:

Differences between male Erythromma najas and Erythromma viridulum
Feature Erythromma najas Erythromma viridulum
Abdomen Features a grey pruinescence Glossy black, no pruinescence
Segments 1, 9 & 10 blue, the rest are black 2, 3 & 8 also (mostly) blue. 10 features a black X mark seen from above
Wings Wings extend to S8 Wings extend to S7
Legs All black Black with subtle blue stripe
Eyes Blood red Paler red, tomato like
Flight May - September July - September

 

Habitat

Ponds, lakes and slow rivers, with suitable floating vegetation - particularly lilies and blanket weed, where they will sit for extended periods of time, guarding territory.

Where to see

Abundant along the River Great Ouse, Felmersham NR, Priory CP.

Visible between early May and early September. Rather ealier than Erythromma virilidulm, can be a good aid to identification.