Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula)

The Large Red Damselfly

This damselfly is a very common species and is found in a wide variety of locations, on both still water, slow flowing rivers and streams. It can be found throughout the United Kingdom without exception.

It is one of the very first damselflies of the year to emerge and it can be seen from late April / early May right through to late August.

The mature male has a deep red abdomen and thoracic stripes. It also has dark red eyes with dark bands running horizontally across them. It differs from the Small Red Damselfly which is smaller and far brighter in colour. Both species can be encountered at the same site but cannot really be confused.

The mature female has a red abdomen which is crossed with black and yellow bands. The thoracic stripes are also yellow / red. Females can have a varying degree of blackness across the abdomen.

This species shares a unique feature with the Emerald variety in that while at rest, it quite often has its wings partially open unlike other damselflies that hold their wings parallel to the abdomen.

This feature creates a photographic issue which is discussed in full in the overview.

Quick ID Link

Photographic Overview - The Large Red Damselfly

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. In addition my primary aim is to achieve the whole of the subject in focus, which includes the wing tips.

The Large Red Damselfy is a fairly easy subject to approach and is therefore quite simple to photograph; however there is a major issue that can spoil your images. Whilst at rest this species quite often partially spreads its wings, but not to the extent of the Emerald Damslfly.

This has an effect on the depth of field and it is very easy to get one set of wing tips out of focus. A decision has to be made whether to take top down or side orientated images. I prefer side views as top down shots do not display the full pattern of the wings.

Frame composition is therefore challenging and a wide depth of field is required to get everything in focus. Choose a high aperture of between F12 and F14 but beware of slow shutter speeds in less than perfect light.

If you want to know more about this species, then follow this link - To Narrative

Like to see further images of this damselfly, then follow this link - To Further Images

If you want to see the best of these images, then follow this link - To Slide Show

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

Page Updated 06/11

All of these photographs were taken by and remain the property of Chris Brooks

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