Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea)

The Downy Emerald

This is without doubt the more common of the two (2) emerald dragonflies that can be found in the south of the UK. It is also the first to emerge at the end of May. It can be seen on the wing until the end of July.

This species prefers lakes and pools that are partially wooded but with some open areas where they can bask in the sunshine.

As its name suggests the Downy's body is covered in fine hairs that are a bronze in colour. The Brilliant Emerald lacks these hairs and is an overall brighter green.

Although very similar in appearance, when seen together at the same site, the two are easily told apart.

Downy Emeralds have vibrant bright green eyes when they are fully mature, whilst the immature's have brown ones.

Both sexes are also very similar to each other in appearance. The male has a club end to its abdomen, whilst the females' swells into a bulge at segment two and is then mainly regular in thickness to its tip.

Otherwise the anal appendages will need close examination to be able to identify the individual sexes from one another.

Photographic Overview - The Downy Emerald

All of my images are taken in handheld mode without the use of any camera support and this overview is written with that in mind.

This is another difficult species to photograph, mainly due to the fact that they rarely settle on low lying vegetation. They prefer fairly wooded sites and spend a lot of their time on the wing; however with patience some good images are possible.

In cloudier moments the Downy Emerald is fond of settling on bracken leaves or similar vegetation. If you are lucky enough to find one, set up your shot and await for the sun's return, but be quick as they will soon take to the air as they warm up. This is an easily disturbed dragonfly and if you miss your chance you are unlikely to get a second one, as they tend to fly into the tree tops or resume their endless patrol of the lake margins.

These images were obtained by stealth and patience alone, no other non photographic techniques were used. I hope you have enjoyed browsing and that you'll return again soon.