Damselflies mating - question

[valdf]

I've been watching the Large Red Damselflies in my garden for 2 weeks now. Every morning for the first week there were 10-12 newly emerged, then gradually fewer until now it's just 1 or 2 a day. That's well over 100 in total.

I've watched many, many couples flying around together and 'hanging out' like this:



and doing gymnastics:





I've seen threesomes, foursomes and even fivesomes:



I've spent a good many hours watching and waiting . . . BUT . . . not once have I seen a mating. What's going on? Is it them or is it me???

Val - very

[Geoff F]

But you do have an excellent photo of actual egg laying which I reckon is the most difficult to capture.

As I understand damselfly mating. After forming the typical wheel formation the male hangs on to the female and guides her to an egg laying position while trying to prevent other males from mating.

So I wonder if you are either just too late or looking in slightly the wrong location.

Last year, I even found a couple of confused male Azure Damselflies trying to mate! But so far, I haven't seen any interesting activity this year. In fact I have only seen 4 Large Reds so far.

[valdf]

Thanks Geoff - perseverance paid off



Val

[Geoff F]

Yes that is the photo you wanted. Makes it all worth while now.