Western Willow Spreadwing (Chalcolestes viridis) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 (1/500th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  (1/640th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  (1/640th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  (1/1000th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  (1/500th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) DescriptionWingspan: 46 - 56mm Body length: 39 - 48mm Both sexes of this species are mainly metallic green like other spreadwings, but are larger, darker and without blue eyes or pruinescence. The wing spots are large, pale and outlined in black. The male's abdomen is very long. In the UK it is found in Kent, Sussex, East Anglia, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. In 2019 a pair was found in Oxfordshire. It is common in most of central, western and southern Europe. Breeding habitat is standing and slow-flowing waters with overhanging trees. This species lays eggs directly into living wood, usually willows, but Alder and other species are also used. Adults emerge later than other damselflies, mainly in September and October. Males often hang vertically from waterside trees. Sightings
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