Emerald Damselfly or Scarce Emerald?

Kiristar · #1 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 05:01 PM

Hi there, this is my first tentative post here.

I've been having fun over the summer photographing dragonflies and damselflies but I'm unsure on this ID - I think its an emerald damselfly but would be grateful if someone could confirmits not a scare emerald.

Reccommendations for good ID reference books appreciated too for my christmas list :-)

Thanks ever so much,
Kiri
kiri-online.co.uk

Ukwildlifeo · #2 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 05:12 PM

Looks like a 'common' emerald rather than a scarce sadly, based on the pterostigma (the dark bits on the wings) and the fact it doesnt look robust or 'chunky' enough for a scarce emerald. I'd need a close up of the claspers for a certain ID.

Where abouts was it taken? If its away from the Thames estuary or a few marshes in Norfolk its unlikely to be a scarce anyway

Lovely photos btw

Ollie · #3 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 05:13 PM

Hi Kiri. Firstly welcome to WAB.

I'm 90% sure this is a male Emerald and not a Scarce Emerald. The location as far as county it was taken in would help to rule out Scarce Emerald as the Scarce is one of our rarer damselflies only found at a few locations in the UK.

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 05:14 PM

Common Emerald im afraid.

pressld2 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 05:17 PM

Welcome to WAB! No need to be tentative, just dive right in!

I think it's an emerald as the whole of the second abdominal segment is blue. In the scarce emerald only the front half of this segment is blue.

Location could also help to be certain as the scarce emerald has a very limited range - pretty much just Essex and part of Norfolk.

As for a good book I really like the WildGuide to Britain's Dragonflies by Dave Smallshire and Andy Swash.

Dave P.

pressld2 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 05:21 PM

Wow, that was a flurry of posts!

Good job we all agreed.

And I agree with Neil - they're lovely photos.

Dave P.

Ukwildlifeo · #7 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pressld2

I think it's an emerald as the whole of the second abdominal segment is blue. In the scarce emerald only the front half of this segment is blue.

Ive been told this is a good guide but to be careful as it can vary in 'common' emeralds, with some having Scarce like markings

Quote:

Originally Posted by pressld2

Location could also help to be certain as the scarce emerald has a very limited range - pretty much just Essex and part of Norfolk.

Don't forget North Kent!

Kiristar · #8 (**permalink**) 06-09-2010, 05:37 PM

Thanks very much everyone that's what I thought.

Was taken in West Berks so sounds like it was well out of the Scarce's localised patch.

RoyW · #9 (**permalink**) 07-09-2010, 12:52 AM

The diagnostic 'inferior' appendages can just about be seen in the second photo (well one of them can be seen anyway). The shape of these, straight and coming to a narrow point, puts the ID as Common Emerald beyond doubt (thicker and curved in Scarce). Other features that have been mentioned back up the ID.

Personally I would never rule out a species solely on known range - damselfly can be good at dispersal. It is unlikely that you will find something well outside its normal range, it's not impossible though.