Red Eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas)
By Ken Crick
Size: - Approximate Length 35mm - Wing Span 38 to 48mm.
Male: - A dark species with bright red eyes. The black upper surface of the thorax is free of any indication of an antehumeral stripe. The sides of the thorax are blue, as are abdominal segments 9 and 10.
The Small Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma viridulum) is migrating west and northwards and considerable care has to be exercised to separate the two.
This narrative was kindly written and supplied by Mr Ken Crick
All Photography by Chris Brooks
Click on the thumb-nails to enlarge the images.
Female: - Dark, almost black from head to tail and with dull red eyes. The dark upper surface of the thorax is broken by two yellow short fine antehumeral stripes. The abdominal segment joints are clearly defined by a fine pale green line that turns blue for segments 8, 9 and 10. The flanks of the thorax and whole underside of the female are pale yellow tending to green.
Status: - Restricted to central and south eastern England, with outposts in Devon, Wales and Yorkshire.
Habitat: - Favours almost any body of water that supports water lilies and plants with broad floating leaves. It will also set up territories on waters with large algal blooms.
Flight period: - Mid May to mid August.
General: - This insect has a strong flight. The males spend much of their time out over the water, setting up territories over floating vegetation. Males are often seen sitting on algal blooms as well as floating
leaves and the upright stems of succulent plants such as Marsh St John’s-Wort (Hypericum elodes).
Egg-laying is performed in tandem but some males just before becoming completely submerged, release the female to continue egg-laying alone under water. Egg-laying is not restricted to succulent floating plants but has been observed on the stems of Water Crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis).
Narrative kindly written and supplied by Ken Crick
Chris Brooks Photography
(www.dragonfly-images.co.uk)
