Damselflies

Collectively, dragonflies and damselflies belong to the group (or Order) of insects known as Odonata, divided into two distinct groups or sub-orders; Anisoptera (true dragonflies) and Zygoptera (damselflies).

Key information about damselflies:

Typically, damselflies are smaller and daintier than dragonflies and have a weaker, more fluttering flight.
Damselflies have small eyes that are separated on either side of the head.
Damselflies have similarly sized pairs of wings – Zygoptera means ‘equal wings’.
Though not an infallible rule, damselflies tend to rest with their wings closed.

Checklist

12 species of damselfly may be found in Bedfordshire:

Willow Emerald Damselfly – Chalcolestes viridis
The Willow Emerald Damselfly – Chalcolestes viridis, is a recent addition to the County list. Easily missed owing to its resemblance to to the Emerald Damselfly – Lestes sponsa, and its habit of resting in trees close to the water’s edge.
Emerald Damselfly – Lestes sponsa
The Emerald Damselfly – Lestes sponsa, is one of the county’s least common damselfly species. It’s larger than most damselflies but not always easy to spot.
Banded Demoiselle – Calopteryx splendens
The Banded Demoiselle – Calopteryx splendens, is an abundant and easily identifiable damselfly. Males are often seen defending their territory over slow flowing waters.
White-legged Damselfly – Platycnemis pennipes
The White-legged Damselfly – Platycnemis pennipes, is a common sight and easy to identify with its distinctive white legs.
Azure Damselfly – Coenagrion puella
The Azure Damselfly – Coenagrion puella, is a common and often seen damselfly. One of several similar looking blue damselflies, but its appearance can be variable.
Variable Damselfly – Coenagrion pulchellum
The Variable Damselfly – Coenagrion pulchellum, is a recent newcomer to the county. Its similarity with the more commonly encountered Azure Damselfly – Coenagrion puella, and its variable appearance, mean it's easily overlooked.
Common Blue Damselfly – Enallagma cyathigerum
The Common Blue Damselfly – Enallagma cyathigerum, is easily missed unless they are moving, and the female occurs in several colour forms that can make identification more difficult.
Red-eyed Damselfly – Erythromma najas
The Red-eyed Damselfly – Erythromma najas, is a common sight in the region. One of two very similar red-eyed damselfly species, positive identification needs care.
Small Red-eyed Damselfly – Erythromma viridulum
The Small Red-eyed Damselfly – Erythromma viridulum, is a more recent visitor to the region, but now well established. One of two very similar red-eyed damselfly species, positive identification needs care.
Blue-tailed Damselfly – Ischnura elegans
The Blue-tailed Damselfly – Ischnura elegans, is an abundant damselfly, and the female has distinct colour forms at different stages of its life-cycle.
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly – Ischnura pumillio
The Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly – Ischnura pumilio, is a rare and easily overlooked damselfly, very similar in appearance to the abundant Blue-tailed Damselfly – Ischnura elegans. In Bedfordshire only likely to be seen at Sundon Chalk Quarry
Large Red Damselfly – Pyrrhosoma nymphula
The Large Red Damselfly – Pyrrhosoma nymphula, is an early season damselfly – typically the first to emerge in spring, and the region’s only red damselfly.

Damselflies

Damselflies

Key information about damselflies:

Checklist

Willow Emerald Damselfly – Chalcolestes viridis

Emerald Damselfly – Lestes sponsa

Banded Demoiselle – Calopteryx splendens

White-legged Damselfly – Platycnemis pennipes

Azure Damselfly – Coenagrion puella

Variable Damselfly – Coenagrion pulchellum

Common Blue Damselfly – Enallagma cyathigerum

Red-eyed Damselfly – Erythromma najas

Small Red-eyed Damselfly – Erythromma viridulum

Blue-tailed Damselfly – Ischnura elegans

Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly – Ischnura pumillio

Large Red Damselfly – Pyrrhosoma nymphula

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