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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