Dragonflies

of Norfolk

Copyright

Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists’ Society (registered charity 291604)

Species descriptions based on:

Milford PJ and Irwin AG (1990),

The Dragonflies of Norfolk, Transactions of N&NNS vol 28 part 5

All photographs copyright of original authors.

Bibliography

Dr Pam Taylor, Dragonflies of Norfolk,

Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists’ Society Occasional Publication no. 9

Dave Smallshire and Andy Swash, Britain’s Dragonflies

WILDGuides

Steve Cham et al, Atlas of Dragonflies of Britain and Ireland

Biological Records Centre and British Dragonfly Society (2014)

Female

Cover illustration: Banded Demoiselle (Tony Howes) Revision date 11.11.14

John Burton

Tony Howes

Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens

Common on some of the larger Norfolk rivers with

well vegetated banks. It flies from early June to late

August. Rivers with muddy bottoms are required for

the larvae, and emergent or floating vegetation for

the displaying males.

Males have indigo wing patches and iridescent blue

bodies, females have green tinted wings and metallic

green bodies.

Male

Female

Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa

Widespread in the county where there is dense emergent vegetation. It

is rather a passive species remaining close to vegetation, settling

frequently and rarely going far over water. It is on the wing from late

June almost to the end of September.

It is distinguished from Scarce Emerald by the more extensive areas of

blue on the abdomen. In the male, the inner anal appendages are

straight.

Scarce Emerald Damselfly Lestes dryas

Was once thought to be extinct in

Britain due to habitat loss and

pollution, but now known from many

sites in Norfolk, particularly in the

brecks.

It is distinguished from Emerald

Damselfly by the reduced amount of

blue on the second abdominal

segment, and in the male by the

curved inner anal appendages.

Tony Howes

Simon Harrap

Hans Watson

Hans Watson

Southern Emerald Damselfly Lestes barbarus

A migrant species whose first British record was at Winterton Dunes,

Norfolk on 30 July 2002. Two further males were found a few days

later. A female was present the following summer and there were

further reports of migrants in subsequent years. At least five were

present and breeding behaviour was observed for the first time in

2012.

It is distinguished from other emerald species by the bi-coloured

pterostigma on the wings of both sexes and the shape of the male anal

appendages.

Willow Emerald Damselfly Chalcolestes viridis

A recent coloniser first recorded in Norfolk in 2009 at Strumpshaw Fen

when a single individual was photographed. The following year up to

three pairs were present in late August-September. Ovipositing into

overhanging willows was observed. By 2014 there were at least three

established colonies in Norfolk, including Strumpshaw, and numerous

other sites where wandering individuals had been seen.

It is distinguished from other emerald damselflies by the shape of the

male anal appendages, the elongated ‘spur’ on the side of the thorax

and the pale coloured pterostigma of both sexes. Caution is needed

however, as immature emeralds of other species also have pale

pterostigma.

Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula

This is usually the first damselfly to be seen each

spring. It usually appears at the end of April or in

early May and lasts through the summer until the

end of August. It is widespread across Norfolk and

can be found in all wet habitats except fast flowing

rivers and streams.

Small Red Damselfly Ceriagrion tenellum

This species is known from just one site in

Norfolk. It is an acid water species which does

not colonise new sites easily. It is a weak flier,

rarely moving far, and settling readily. It flies from

mid-June to the end of August.

David Smallshire

David Smallshire

Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella

This is one of the most common damselflies in Norfolk, occurring in

almost any still, or slow moving body of water, and wandering away

into lush meadowland or relatively dry habitats nearby. Look for the U-

shaped mark on the second abdominal segment of the male. The

normal form of the female has an all dark abdomen with yellow or blue

segment joints. The adults fly from early to mid-May until late August.

Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum

This species is nationally scarce in

Britain, but fairly common in Broadland.

Look for the wine glass mark on the

second abdominal segment of the male,

and clean blue ninth segment. Overall it

favours marshy dykes in meadows rather

than ponds and pools. It flies from mid-

May until mid-August.

U-shaped mark on

second abdominal

segment.

Wine glass mark on

second abdominal

segment

Geoff Nobes

Simon Harrap

Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum

This species is abundant and widespread in Norfolk. It can

be confused with the preceding species but tends to be a

paler shade of blue. Look for the black circular mark on the

second abdominal segment of the male, and the completely

blue segments 8 and 9. Females occur in a blue form and a

dull greenish buff form. The adults fly from mid-May until the

end of September in good summers.

Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans

This is the commonest and most frequently encountered

damselfly in Norfolk. Able to withstand some degree of

pollution, it is frequently the only species found in unsavoury

areas. Males are distinctive, largely black with thin blue

stripes on the thorax and blue segment eight. Females come

in a variety of colour forms in which the sides of the thorax

can be green, violet, olive, light brown or rose pink. It flies

from mid-May until early September.

Tony Howes

Alan Dixon

Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma najas

This species is quite widespread in gravel pits, and pools with floating

lily pads or other surface vegetation. It is larger than the average

damselfly, but at a distance bears a superficial resemblance to Blue-

tailed Damselfly. The bright red eyes, lack of thoracic stripes, and blue

on segments nine and ten of males are diagnostic. The females have

green sides to the thorax and very fine, partial thoracic stripes, and a

uniformly coloured abdomen. Adults appear in early to mid-May and fly

until the end of August.

Small Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma viridulum

This species was first recorded in the

county in August 2001 at Winterton,

since when it has spread to many

inland sites. It is similar to Red-eyed

Damselfly but is noticeably smaller with

scarlet, rather than burgundy eyes. The

main distinguishing marks on the male

are the blue sides to abdominal

segments 2 and 8 and a black ‘x’ over

blue on the upper surface of segment

10.

Geoff Nobes

Geoff Nobes

Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratense

This is one of the earliest species on the wing,

flying from the end of May to the end of June

or early July. Although generally scarce in

Britain, it is fairly plentiful in Broadland though

very local elsewhere in Norfolk. It particularly

favours dykes and carefully works its way

along the vegetated margins closely following

the contours, searching for insects. The apple

green sides to the thorax are particularly

prominent in flight.

Female

Male

Dick Waters

Dick Waters

Common Hawker Aeshna juncea

This species is extremely scarce in Norfolk,

occurring mainly in the east of the county, where

its preferred habitat seems to be open heath or

pasture with pools or dykes. Look for the golden

leading edge to the wing to separate this species

from the similar Migrant and Southern Hawkers.

Flight period is from mid-July to the end of

September.

Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta

This species is fairly common in the county, with

the resident population being reinforced by

migrants from the continent. Although it may be

found in a variety of habitats, it seems to favour

open woodland rides and clearings. Several

males can gather, showing no territorial

behaviour, they fly high and hover frequently. It

can be separated from the similar Common and

Southern Hawkers by its smaller size and

generally darker appearance. It flies from early

August until mid-November provided there are

no frosts.

Tony Howes

Geoff Nobes

Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea

Common and widespread in Norfolk, often

breeding in garden ponds, but it can be found in a

wide variety of habitats often away from water. It

wanders far and wide, often hawking in woodland

rides even after dusk. It is much larger than

Migrant Hawker, and differs from both Common

and Migrant Hawkers in its apple-green sides to

the thorax in both males and females. It flies from

late June until early October.

Male

Female

Geoff Nobes

Tony Howes

Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis

This species is common and widespread in

Norfolk from early July to late September. It

flies high along the margins of well vegetated

ponds, lakes and canals but wanders far from

water on occasions, and several may be seen

in sheltered clearings in woodland hawking for

insects. It is distinguished from the rarer

Norfolk Hawker by its all brown suffused wings

and darker brown body.

Norfolk Hawker Aeshna isosceles

This species is largely confined to the Broads,

apart from isolated occurrences near the River

Waveney in the east of the county. It favours

clean dykes and does not move far from water.

It can be distinguished from Brown Hawker by

its green eyes, tan body, yellow triangle and

clear wings. It is on the wing from the first week

of June until as late as early August in good

summers

George Taylor

Dick Waters

Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator

This is the largest resident species in Gt Britain.

It is widespread across Norfolk favouring still,

sheltered waters. The characteristic long,

drooping abdomen (blue in the male and green-

brown in the female) separates it from the similar

Aeshna species. Males are highly territorial and

each small pond or mill pool, their preferred

habitats, will usually only support one male at a

time. It is noticeable that males almost

constantly patrol and rarely land during this

stage of their life cycle. Females will land on

floating vegetation to dip the tip of their abdomen

into the water to lay their eggs on submerged

weed (see illustration). The flight period is from

early June until the end of August.

Male

Female

Dave Mower

Dave Mower

Lesser Emperor Anax parthenope

Lesser Emperor was first recorded in Britain in 1996

and was once a rare migrant. The first Norfolk

record was from Titchwell on the north coast in

2002, followed by an east coast record from Eccles

in June 2003. In July of that year there was a report

from Lound Waterworks Lake on the Norfolk -

Suffolk border and this has been followed by further

records from Lound in 2007 and 2008.

There were three reports for the species in 2006,

two of them inland, and no less than thirteen reports

in 2007 from five different sites. It was in August

2007 that ovipositing pairs were observed at two

sites and it is now true to say that this migrant

species could be encountered anywhere in the

county.

Although a large hawker, it is slightly smaller than

Emperor. It has green eyes and a brown thorax with

greenish sides. Males have a bright blue saddle on

segments 2 and 3, topped by a brown segment 1

from which the blue is separated by a yellow line.

The blue on segment 3 is divided by the pointed tip

of the black abdominal line. Females are duller than

males. One important point to note is that while

Emperor females oviposit alone, Lesser Emperors

egg-lay in pairs.

Steve Cham

David Smallshire

Downy Emerald Cordulia aenea

This is one of the rarest dragonflies in Norfolk,

being known from only one site in north-east

Norfolk, to which there is no public access. It is

on the wing from the end of May to mid-July.

Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata

This species is widespread in Norfolk but not as

common as might be expected from its status in

Britain generally. It prefers still, acidic waters

particularly well-vegetated and shallow pools or

dykes where males will defend a territory very

actively and aggressively. Males and females

are similar and the four black spots on each pair

of wings are diagnostic. It flies from late May

until late August.

Dick Waters

Alan Dixon

Geoff Nobes George Taylor

Geoff Nobes George Taylor

Male

Male

Female

Female

Scarce Chaser Libellula fulva

This is a nationally scarce dragonfly which

has a liking for slow moving rivers with lots

of cover along the banks. In Norfolk it is

only found in the lower Waveney and Yare

valleys. The females and young males are

particularly distinctive being a beautiful tan

colour with joined black triangles in the

centre of the abdomen. It is on the wing

from early June to late July.

Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa

This is an early species being on the

wing from mid-May to early August.

In Norfolk it is evenly spread across

the county but nowhere is it common.

The preferred habitat is sheltered

pools or ponds with good marginal

vegetation where males show

aggressive territorial behaviour. It

readily colonises new habitats such

as gravel pits and garden ponds.

Simon Harrap Dick Waters

Tony Howes Simon Harrap

Male

Male Female

Female

Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum

This species is common in Broadland and

widespread elsewhere in the county on

gravel pits and shallow ponds and lakes.

Males will defend a territory frequently

returning to the same spot on the bare

ground to bask. They are on the wing from

mid-May until the end of August.

Keeled Skimmer Orthetrum coerulescens

This species occurs at Holt Lowes and

Buxton Heath, both of which provide its

preferred habitat of acid bog, marshes and

moorland with running water and Sphagnum

pools. It is smaller than the other Skimmers

and has saffron tinted wings. It flies from

mid-June to the end of August, and rarely

travels far from its larval habitat.

Simon Harrap

David Paull

Male

Female

Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum

The Common Darter is widespread and common

in the county, particularly in woodland and

heathland habitats, but it can be found almost

anywhere. They settle frequently, and, later in

the day, and more generally later in the season,

they will choose warm, flat, often light coloured

surfaces on which to rest.

Common Darter has yellow stripes on the legs in

both sexes, distinguishing it from the similar

Ruddy Darter which has all black legs. Adults fly

from late June and continue into mid-November

if the weather is mild.

Ian Johnson

Bill Furse ARPS

Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombei

Red-veined Darter is a rare migrant from the

continent. Look for the prominent red wing veins

in the male and the deep red eyes which are

bluer beneath.

Yellow-winged Darter Sympetrum flaveolum

Yellow-winged Darter is another rare migrant

from the continent, arriving from mid-July

through August. Short-lived colonies can

become established but rarely persist more

than a couple of years. The species is similar

to Common Darter but has large yellow

patches on the hind wings and narrower

patches halfway along the forewings.

Tony Howes

David Richmond

Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum

This species is more localised than Common

Darter, but still widespread across the county. It

has a preference for woodland situations. Males

are not so territorial as other darters, and where

found, may be in quite high densities. They are

easily approached, and will fly only a short

distance if disturbed, soon settling on pale

surfaces on the ground or on low vegetation.

Look for the deep red, waisted abdomen of the

male, and the all black legs. It flies from the end

of June until mid-September.

Black darter Sympetrum danae

This species is very scarce in Norfolk, occurring

only on the acid bogs in the west of the county,

particularly at Dersingham Bog and Roydon

Common. It is a small species, glossy black in

the male, and yellow and black in the female. It

flies from early June until the end of September,

sometimes later if the weather is warm.

Checklist of Norfolk Dragonflies

Print out this page to record your sightings of Norfolk Dragonflies.

Species Where When Species Where When

Banded Demoiselle Southern Hawker

Emerald Damselfly Brown Hawker

Scarce Emerald D’fly Norfolk Hawker

Southern Emerald Dfly Emperor

Willow Emerald D’fly Lesser Emperor

Large Red Damselfly Downy Emerald

Small Red Damselfly Four-spotted Chaser

Azure Damselfly Scarce Chaser

Variable Damselfly Broad-bodied Chaser

Common Blue D’fly Black-tailed Skimmer

Blue-tailed Damselfly Keeled Skimmer

Red-eyed D’fly Common Darter

Small Red-eyed D’fly Red-veined Darter

Hairy Dragonfly Yellow-winged Darter

Common Hawker Ruddy Darter

Migrant Hawker Black Darter

For more information on British dragonflies visit the British Dragonfly

Society website at:

www.british-dragonflies.org.uk

There you will find details of the national recording scheme, and you can

download recording sheets for your observations.

These should be sent to Pam Taylor, the county recorder, at:

pamtaylor@british-dragonflies.org.uk