Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens)

The Banded Demoiselle

This species is one of the two Demoiselles that occur in the United Kingdom. It is aptly named and is easily identifiable from the Beautiful Demoiselle by the distinct dark bands on the wings.

This is a species of slow flowing rivers but it can also be seen on canals, streams and even still waters that are adjacent to the rivers in which they breed. Appearing on the wing from early / mid May in the recent warm springs right through to mid September. It emerges up to two weeks later than the Beautiful Demoiselle but often frequents the same territory.

The males are very easy to identify, the Banded Demoiselle has a dark coloured band across its wings the Beautiful variety having fully coloured wings. Both species have a metallic blue / green abdomen and thorax.

The females however are a much greater challenge to identify. The female Banded Demoiselle has green wings and a metallic green body. However the Beautiful variety has bronze wings and a metallic green body which turns a bronze colour with age. It is best to identify the female demoiselle in the company of the male of the species.

All photography and the narrative are by Chris Brooks