Hairy Dragonfly in Cheshire

June 25, 2013:
Cheshire is the northern British limit for this 'hawker' dragonfly which is found there only very locally. It favours canals, slow moving rivers, and sheltered ponds. Here, several were flying at a fishing pool surrounded by trees. They patrolled regularly low over the water surface, perching only ocasionally.

Present also were Red-eyed Damselflies, the males defending their territories from perches out on the lily-pads. Unfortunately, the latter were much reduced having been cleared away for fishing purposes.

On the grass nearby the Welsh Chafer beetle (Hoplia philanthus) was found.

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A good day in Shropshire for Damselflies

June 4, 2011
Good warm sunny weather prompted a visit to Shropshire especially to look for White-legged, Variable and Red-eyed Damselflies. Localities near Atcham and Berrington were visited as these are places where all three are known to occur. White-legged Damselflies are nearing their northern limit here but neverheless are quite frequent amongst the dense bankside vegetation of the slow flowing River Severn. Many were seen today in various stages of maturing colour form but could be readily recognised by their distinctive white legs.


[The distinctive white legs showed up well]


[The chocolate brown pterostigmas are distinctive]





Below, two photos of an immature:




On a small pool near Berrington several Variable Damselflies were found, the distinctive ‘wine-glass’ shape on segment 2 helping to separate them from other Blues. Some of the males had the characteristic ‘exclamation mark’ bands on the thorax although this was not always the case as indicated in the common name.





[Variable Damselflies]

Male Red-eyed Damselflies staked out their territories on the lily-pads and were especially aggressive towards other males.




[Red-eyed Damselflies]

Blue-tails were also frequent as were Azures and Common Blues. Large Reds were present but not so common.


[Blue-tailed Damselfly, male]


[Azure Damselflies, pair]


[Common Blue Damselfly, male]


[Large Red Damselfly]

Altogether 10 species were seen including Banded Demoiselles, two Broad-bodied Chasers and a distant Downy Emerald.



[The pool at Berrington and the water-lily pads favoured by the Red-eyeds]

Large Red-eyed Damselflies in Cheshire

May 19, 2011:
Large Red-eyed Damselflies (Erythromma najas) have now emerged here. At this small pool at the north-western limit for the species in Britain, several males could be seen out in the centre of the water where they rested on floating pondweed. As soon as the sun emerged there was frenzied activity as the males defended their territories from intruders. Occasionally also, an ovipositing pair would be ‘buzzed’. When egg-laying in tandem, the female was totally immersed under the surface but protected by an envelope of air around her body. Today all remained at long range and made photography difficult. These are quite fast-flying insects which keep low down close to the water surface but are easily picked out by their striking bright red eyes.


[Male; the female totally immersed when egg-laying]



[Territorial males resting on pondweed]

This same sheltered pool had several other species of Odonata, especially damselflies, and was a haven for other wildlife as well. A group of resting Mallard ducklings added to the idyllic scene.