Banded Demoiselle

[Domco]

Hi There,

There was a male banded demoiselle hanging around our pond this morning which I was very excited about as I think that this in one of my favourite insects. Nearest river is only about 200yds away but you have to come through a housing estate or down the railway line to get to us so I am not sure what it is doing here? I guess it is just dispersing but can I just double check before I get too excited that they need flowing water to breed?

Cheers

Dom

[Wild-Woman]

Yes flowing water but they do travel quite a bit, so you may get the odd visit now and then.

[King Edward]

Yes, we've had occasional visits from these (at least one this year), plus also Club-tailed Dragonfly which is another river species. Both must have come at least about 1.5 to 2 km from the nearest river.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Domco

I guess it is just dispersing but can I just double check before I get too excited that they need flowing water to breed?

Not necessarily (there are records of quite a few 'river species' occasionally breeding in still water), but it is highly unlikely that breeding will actually take place in your pond - especially if you've only seen one!