David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital
Video Images
____________________________Dragonflies and
Damselflies 41 – Willow Emerald Damselflies
WILLOW
EMERALD DAMSELFLY Chalcolestes viridis (m)
WILLOW EMERALD DAMSELFLY Chalcolestes viridis (m) WILLOW
EMERALD DAMSELFLY Chalcolestes viridis (m)
WILLOW
EMERALD DAMSELFLY Chalcolestes viridis (m)
WILLOW
EMERALD DAMSELFLY Chalcolestes viridis (m)
WILLOW EMERALD DAMSELFLY Chalcolestes viridis
WILLOW
EMERALD DAMSELFLY Chalcolestes viridis (m,
f)
WILLOW
EMERALD DAMSELFLY Chalcolestes viridis (m,
f)
WILLOW
EMERALD DAMSELFLY Chalcolestes viridis
(oviposition scars)
·
The Willow Emerald or Western Willow Spreadwing Damselfly Chalcolestes viridis is a recent arrival from
continental Europe and it has become established quite rapidly as a breeding
species at suitable sites in the UK. An absence of pale blue pruinescence in mature males and the presence of pale brown
pterostigmata will enable this metallic green
damselfly to be separated from the similar Common Emerald or Common Spreadwing Damselfly Lestes sponsa (the two may be found
together) but observers should be aware of the possibility that other members
of the Lestidae might also establish
themselves in the UK as the climate continues to warm up. Willow Emeralds can
be tricky to see as they will often secrete themselves in the shade of the Sallows
Salix sp. into which they have selected to lay their eggs, usually into
thin branches overhanging the margins of water-bodies. Moving shadows on the
ground may be the first sign of their presence. The oviposition scars are very
obvious and their discovery will confirm that breeding has occurred – although not
necessarily recently as the scars will persist for long after the eggs have
been deposited.
·
A short film of Willow Emerald Damselflies
may be seen at: https://youtu.be/EH0jAT_cPss
.
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