Damselflies - Reds, Spreadwings & Demoiselles

The last post covered blue damselflies, so this one will cover the rest, demoiselles, spreadwings & reds.

Large red damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) 
This is Ireland’s only species of red damselfly which makes it rather easy to identify. There are of course darter dragonflies which are also red but these are much larger and bulkier. The large red is generally the first damselfly to emerge in any significant numbers at the start of the year. Later on in the season they do tend to become rather annoying with their tendency to chase off blue damselflies while I am trying to photograph them!

Emerald damselfly (Lestes sponsa) 
This species belongs to a separate family generally known either as emeralds, Lestes damselflies or spreadwings because of their tendency to sit with wings spread out unlike other damsels. I think this is my favourite damselfly because it is both stunning and usually willing to sit still whilst being photographed. There is a second species of Lestes called the scarce emerald damselfly but it does not occur in county Cork. With luck I will see it next year.

Banded demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) 
The demoiselles belong to a different family again. They are larger then other damselflies and live in riverine habitats. This is because their larvae are adapted to survive in moving water unlike nearly all other Irish odonates. The male banded demoiselle can be told apart from its sister species the beautiful demoiselle by having a large black band running across the wing with the rest of the wing being clear. Females of the two species are quite similar.

Beautiful demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) 
This demoiselle more then lives up to its name. The males have rust red wings that mature into a stunning black colour that shines blue in light conditions. Seeing a stretch of river being guarded by multiple males which territorially chase each other is a fantastic sight.

The list 
Large red damselfly (seen)
Emerald damselfly (seen)
Scarce emerald damselfly
Banded demoiselle (seen)
Beautiful demoiselle (seen)

Dragonflies, counting up 2012

I am counting up the odonate species from the spring to autumn season of 2012 today. I must say I feel a little cheated as one of the best photo shoots I had recently was trapped on my camera when unfortunately it got stolen. That took care of four spotted chaser and emperor dragonfly which I had with great care and patience managed to approach. Grumbling aside, I did rather better with damselflies then dragonflies.

1. Banded demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens) 
From my trip to Carlow I found these beauties clinging to the reeds everywhere by the river. Stunning and a delight are terms I would gladly use for this species. I also found some right in the city centre but couldn’t approach them.

2. Beautiful demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) 
Considerably harder to approach due to its habit of flying to a nearby tree top when interrupted. Perseverance got me some alright shots though I feel with more time I could have done better.

3. Large red damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) 
Another new one for me this year. The large red damselfly does exactly what it sais on the tin and is rather easy to identify given that it’s the only red species in Ireland.

4. Azure damselfly (Coenagrion puella) 
One of Ireland’s several blue species; the azure can be distinguished most easily by the markings at the base of its tail. This is the blue I encountered most often this year.

5. Common blue damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) 
Much like the above species but again with different markings, the common blue has a different less azure shade (obviously I suppose). My main sight for them is Blarney castle gardens.

6. Blue tailed damselfly (Ischnura elegans) 
Another blue damselfly; this one is not however in the same family and can quite clearly be told apart by its mostly black abdomen which has a bright blue end. Sometimes in flight this delicate creature looks like its carrying a tiny blue light on its tail.

7. Emerald damselfly (Lestes sponsa)
I really wanted to see one of these and after considerable late season searching one is what I got, in the shade with overcast skies, because of this the colours of this species don’t really show in this shot.

8. Emperor dragonfly (Anax imperator) 
Large and impressive species that has moved into Irish parts only recently but is now relatively easy to find. The below shot was meant as a preview of the pictures to come on facebook but now stand as my only emperor pic this year.

9. Migrant hawker (Aeshna mixta) 
Like its name suggests this hawker is migratory and like the emperor it is pretty new in Ireland. It seems to be more approachable then its cousins the common and brown hawkers.

10. Common darter (Sympetrum striolatum) 
My most photographed dragonfly, the common darter appears late in the season but is quite plentiful in places.

Other species I spotted but did not manage to photograph where ruddy darter, black darter, red veined darter, common hawker, brown hawker (likely) & four spotted chaser. Until summer 2013 then for these guys!