Damselfly ID Northumberland

Stewart J · #1 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 07:41 PM

Hi all, need help to ID the Damsel shown in following pictures, taken at Bellcrag Flow in Northumberland this afternoon. Cannot seem to suss it from field guide, there were several of them present.

Apologies for quality taken with a compact using digital zoom and heavily cropped.

Many thanks

Stewart

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-09-2009, 08:39 PM

Emerald Damselfly, Lestes sponsa.

Stewart J · #3 (**permalink**) 13-09-2009, 06:23 PM

Thanks aeshna5, would you like to elaborate on the id points I'm quite new to this and field guide does not help much.

ATB

Stewart

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 13-09-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewart J

Thanks aeshna5, would you like to elaborate on the id points I'm quite new to this and field guide does not help much.

ATB

Stewart

In the top photo the individual is shown (if not too clearly) with the wings half open. This is a good jizz feature of the genus Lestes. Occasionally as in the lower picture the wings are folded in a more typical damselfly posture folded over the abdomen.

In the top photo the bronzy thorax + abdomen with bluish pruinescence at the end of the abdomen point to the male Emerald Damselfly.

This is a nationally widespread species of still water bodies with much vegetation such as Juncus; particularly on acid species. There are 2 other breeding Lestes species- the Scarce + newly discovered this year (but seemingly established at some Suffolk sites + possibly Essex) Willow Emerald. A fourth species the Southern Emerald has also been recorded as a migrant here.