Battered Hairy Dragonfly

[Ollie]

Hi all.

Came across this guy on my travels today and although he had a lot of wing damage he looked pretty good otherwise for so late in the season for him. Bearing in mind that the Hairies are the first dragonflies to emerge in early May. Just goes to show what wing damage they can sustain and still get about as this one didn't seem to have any problems flying.

Sad to think that his life will shortly end and I probably won't see another Hairy until next May.

[aeshna5]

Yes, they'll soon be over, but other than his tatty wings, he still looks good.

They are doing really well at the moment, expanding their range + I've seen quite a few at a wide range of sites. With the good weather we've had, a lot of oviposition should have occurred for the next generation.

[Tormentil]

Originally Posted by Ollie

.... Just goes to show what wing damage they can sustain and still get about as this one didn't seem to have any problems flying. ...

It is amazing how they manage with so much damage. This Meadow Brown I saw, for instance; even though it's wings are badly deformed, it too, seemed to cope ok.

[Ollie]

Looks like that one has been in a crimping machine Ben. but as you say they seem to manage ok.