Small Red Damselfly (Ceriagrion tenellum)

Size: - Approximate Length 31mm - Wing Span 35mm.

Male: - Smaller than the Large Red Damselfly. The Small Red has pale red legs; the upper surface of its thorax is black with no antehumeral stripes. The abdomen is bright red with no black markings. When at rest the abdomen is often bent slightly down at the tip resembling a miniature hockey stick.

Female: - Another species with three female colour forms. The abdomen can be red throughout with the segment joints outlined with a fine black line. The last

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.

two thirds of the abdomen may be black with the segment joints highlighted by fine yellow bands. The final colour forms’ upper surface is black throughout with each abdominal segment joint finely highlighted. The pale red legs are diagnostic.

Status: - This nationally scarce but some times locally abundant species which favours lowland heaths and currently seems to be expanding its territory.

Habitat: - Can be found in southern Britain on acidic

runnels and pools, old brick pits, shallow unshaded ponds with an abundance of sphagnum moss at the margins.

Flight period: - Commonly seen from the end of May to early September.

General: - This weak-flying damselfly is to be seen hovering only centimetres above shallow heathland pools and runnels, flitting in and out of low marginal vegetation or perched on algal mats and other low level bog vegetation. Males may be territorial; battles between males often result in a movement around the water body

rather than any individual being driven to leave the site.

Copulation is usually performed within the low level emergent vegetation and can last for over 40 minutes. Egg-laying takes place in tandem with the males abdomen disposed vertically and the thorax angled at about 120 degrees. This species is often seen in the company of Black Darter, Keeled Skimmer, Emerald Damselfly and other heathland bog species. When setting out to photograph this species a stout plastic bag in ones kit, upon which to kneel, is recommended.