DRAGONFLY: Banded Demoiselles, Brockholes Wetlands, Lancashire

June 2, 2010:
In the present hot sunny weather, Banded Demoiselles (Calopteryx splendens) are flying on certain parts of the Reserve and especially in those reed beds not too far from the river. Many of them, whether males or females, are in beautiful condition.


[Male]


[Male]


[Female]


[Female]

The males maintain fairly localised territories, although in some cases two will occur surprisingly together.


[Two males in a stand-off?]

They are usually quite active, especially when disturbed, but will soon return with fluttering flight to perch on a leaf or dead Phragmites seed-head.


[Female, showing the metallic green tinge]


[Another female with full colouration still developing]