Odonata - Dragonflies and Damselflies

Of all the aquatic insects the dragonflies and damselflies are surely the best known. A few are instantly recognisable, but there are more than forty species in the British Isles and some of them are now very rare.

Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator

Common Red Darter Sympetrum striolatum

Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens

Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula

Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum

Their irridescent bodies and aerobatic skills make a fascinating spectacle on bright summer days.

Life Cycle

Most damselflies have a one-year life cycle, while dragonflies and longer lived, some taking five years to reach maturity. The eggs, once hatched, become nymphs (also known as naiads), which olive among submerged weeds.

In shallow lakes, the nymphs of damselflies are an important source of food for trout and other fish. When ready to emerge as adults, the nymphs crawl up weed stems and rest in the sunshine above water level until their outer shucks split to allow the winged adults to emerge.

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