Damselfly Larva Casing (Exuvia) for ID

[tigger]

Can you tell whether this is a Azure or Large Red Damselfly casing (Exuvia)?? (these are the two sp. I have in my pond)

Do you know of any good websites that show the differences?

Thanks. Jane

[Keith Talbot]

id hazzard a guess at the Large Red,

the British Dragonfly Soc website is quite good but it doesnt show the azure's Exuvia but looking at he pics id say the red

British Dragonfly Society - Large Red Damselfly

[RoyW]

Hi Jane,

I meant to reply to this earlier but didn't get round to it...

Originally Posted by tigger

Can you tell whether this is a Azure or Large Red Damselfly casing (Exuvia)??

It's difficult to identify exuvia from photographs - often the (necessary angle, which varies for different species) isn't shown. The two species you mention can be seperated by the shape of the back of the head.
The caudal lamellae (appendages at the end of the abdomen) are also useful, but it is helpful if they are seperated so that the shape, and any patterns can be seen properly.

This probably is a Large Red exuviae (because the caudal lamellae appear to have the dark markings this species would show). I wouldn't like to say for certain though.

Originally Posted by tigger

Do you know of any good websites that show the differences?

There are some good images of larva on this site
Chris Brooks Photography
(No idea who the guy is though).


Roy.

[harasseddad]

Wow, what a useful site.