Distorted Large Red Damselfly

[Sneezewort]

We spotted this Large Red Damselfly with a distorted body flying around over a local woodland pond this week. I think it is a female.



I've never seen a mis-shaped dragon/damselfly before. Does anyone know if this is a common phenomenon?

Julie

[Jason Green]

Morning Julie,

It may have escaped a predator, or been trapped and escaped. Damsels often seem to go 'limp' following an injury, as if the abdomen has deflated.

Credit: Matt_xyz

Take care,

Jason

[Sneezewort]

Hi Jason

I hadn't thought of it having been attacked by a predator, to be honest - I was thinking it looked more like it had hatched out of its previous skin having been twisted into shape, like a piece of wire

Thanks for your reply.

Julie

[britnik]

This common blue, seen today, seems a little distorted.
Not as bad as Sneezewort's though.

[aeshna5]

I think usually it's not to do with predators but problems encountered on emergence, such as an obstacle as the body extends.

Sometimes the deformity is not an obstacle to an ordinary life, but some can be so crippled as to impede success. I saw several common Blue Damsels with kinks in their abdomens yesterday amongst several hundred individuals.

[ollyk]

Disturbance during emergence could be one reason e.g. rain..