Wednesday 10 July 2019

Southern Damselfly

Last week, I headed for the New Forest in Hampshire to spend a day in search of the Southern Damselfly (Coenagrion mercuriale).

 This is one of our most endangered species of damselfly and it has very specific habitat requirements. Colonies can only be found along shallow, slow moving heathland streams with clear water usually running over a bed of gravel and within a warm microclimate. 

 As with all 'blue' damselfly species, the diagnostic identifying features can usually be found within the markings of the abdomen.



Southern Damselfly (Coenagrion mercuriale)

(males)




(female)



(pair in tandem)


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