Photos

Various photos of male and female Emerald Damselflies

• 
  Male at Felmersham NR
  Although the colours are bright, Emerald Damselflies can be surprisingly difficult to see.
  Show in Google Maps
• 
  Females have more subdued colouring.
  Show in Google Maps
• 
  Female at Felmersham NR showing the wings held half open, a characteristic of Emerald Damselflies.
  Show in Google Maps
• 
  Female at Marston Thrift.
  This shows the metallic sheen on the abdomen and thorax well.
• 
  Female at Marston Thrift, surprisingly difficult to see amongst the foliage.
• 
  Male at Felmersham NR, eating a fly.
• 
  Male, Felmersham NR
  This macro photo was taken using flash.

• 
  Male at Coronation Pit
  Emeralds can be quite common at the Southern end of Coronation Pit.
• 
  Male at Coronation Pit
  The brilliant blue eyes are particularly noticeable.
• 
  Male taken on a hot day at Coronation Pit.
  Hot days can make shy damselflies more active and easier to spot.
• 
  An old female at Felmersham NR, looking a bit tatty and subdued.

Thumbnail page:

Main features

Classification:

Odonata
	Zygoptera			Damselflies
		Lestidae		Emerald damselflies

Larger than the blue damselflies, but not as big as a demoiselle, characteristically rests with wings held half open at 45°

The male is predominantly metallic green, with segments 1, 2, 9 and 10 coloured blue, with the blue continuing half along the thorax. The eyes are blue, contrasting with the green head.

The female lacks the blue of the male, and the thorax is half green, half pale brown. Eyes are reddish brown.

Habitat

Not generally seen over water, but found near shallow still water sites, ponds, ditches etc., sometimes around rivers close to still waters.

Where to see

One of the counties rarest species, can be locally common at clay pits and quarries, such as Felmersham NR and Coronation Pit, but not always easy to spot.

Visible between early June and early September.