Damselflies
Collectively, dragonflies and damselflies belong to the group (or Order) of insects known as Odonata, divided into two distinct groups or sub-orders; Anisoptera (true dragonflies) and Zygoptera (damselflies).
Key information about damselflies:
- Typically damselflies are smaller and more dainty than dragonflies and have a weaker, more fluttering flight.
- Damselflies have small eyes that are separated on either side of the head.
Damselflies have similarly sized pairs of wings – Zygoptera means ‘equal wings’. - Though not an absolute rule, damselflies tend to rest with their wings closed.
10 species of damselfly may be found in Bedfordshire:
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Willow Emerald Damselfly - Chalcolestes viridis
The Willow Emerald Damselfly - Chalcolestes viridis is a recent addition to the County list. Easily missed owing to its resemblance to to the Emerald Damselfly - Lestes sponsa, and its habit of resting in trees close to the water's edge.
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Emerald Damselfly - Lestes sponsa
The Emerald Damselfly - Lestes sponsa, is one of the county's rarest damselfly species, larger than most damselflies but not always easy to spot.
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Banded Demoiselle - Calopteryx splendens
The Banded Demoiselle - Calopteryx splendens, is an abundant and easily identifiable damselfly. Males are often seen defending their territory over slow flowing waters.
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White-legged Damselfly - Platycnemis pennipes
The White-legged Damselfly - Platycnemis pennipes, is a common sight and easy to identify with its distinctive white legs.
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Azure Damselfly - Coenagrion puella
The Azure Damselfly - Coenagrion puella, is a common and often seen damselfly. One of several similar looking blue damselflies, but its appearance can be variable.
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Common Blue Damselfly - Enallagma cyathigerum
The Common Blue Damselfly - Enallagma cyathigerum, easily missed unless they are moving, and the female has several colour forms that can make identification more difficult.
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Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas
The Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma najas, is a common sight in the region. One of two very similar red-eyed damselfly species, positive identification needs care.
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Small Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma viridulum
The Small Red-eyed Damselfly - Erythromma viridulum, is a more recent visitor to the region, but now well established. One of two very similar red-eyed damselfly species, positive identification needs care.
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Blue-tailed Damselfly - Ischnura elegans
The Blue-tailed Damselfly - Ischnura elegans, is an abundant damselfly, and the female has distinct colour forms at different stages of its life-cycle.
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Blue-tailed Damselfly - Ischnura elegans
The Blue-tailed Damselfly - Ischnura elegans, is an abundant damselfly, and the female has distinct colour forms at different stages of its life-cycle.
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Large Red Damselfly - Pyrrhosoma nymphula
The Large Red Damselfly - Pyrrhosoma nymphula, is an early season damselfly, usually the first to emerge in spring, and the region's only red damselfly.