Male. Taken at Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon., on May 27th 2024. (© David Hastings)
(1/800th sec at f13. Click image for larger version)
Immature male. Taken at Bucknell Wood, Northants, on June 2nd 2024. (© David Hastings)
(1/800th sec at f11. Click image for larger version)
Female. Taken at Whelford Pools, Gloucs, on May 16th 2023. (© David Hastings)
(1/640th sec at f11. Click image for larger version)

Description

Wingspan: 58 - 72 mm; Body length: 45 - 49 mm

A large and distinctive damselfly. The male has dark cobalt blue wings with iridescent blue veins. The body is metallic blue-green. Immature males have all-brown wings. The female has transparent greenish to deep ebony wings and white pterostigma.

It is mainly found in the south and west of England and Wales, and southern Ireland. It is scarce over most of the rest of the British Isles.

The Beautiful Demoiselle is one of the few species which is restricted to running water, often acidic, with a sandy or gravelly bottom.

Females lay up to 300 eggs at a time into emergent or floating vegetation. The eggs hatch after fourteen days. The larva is stick-like with very long legs. It takes two years to develop into an adult. The flight period is May to August.

Males are territorial, perching in bankside vegetation or trees. They flick their wings open and shut, and chase passing insects, often returning to the same perch. Females live away from water unless egg-laying or seeking a mate.

A locally common species.

Earliest UK sighting: 12th May ; Latest UK sighting: 30th July

Sightings