Small Red-eyed Damselfly

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   Indulging one of my other interests I thought I would share this shot of Erythromma viridulum, these beasties are fairly scarce in the UK having been first recorded in Essex in July 1999. I was lucking enough to meet the guy who was one of the first to report them and he pointed out how to distinguish them by their slightly more dainty appearance from the more usual Red-eyed Damselfy E.najas.

I'm so pleased that these have used the garden pond, I'll get positive ID , but I'm fairly sure from their appearance in flight that they are E.viridulum and also from the makings on the male's 10th and 8th segments
(PS no amount of red-eye reduction will work for these guys?..groan)

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administrator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote administrator Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Small Red-eyed Damselfly Posted: 24 Jul 2005 at 10:22am
	Indulging one of my other interests I thought I would share this shot of Erythromma viridulum, these beasties are fairly scarce in the UK having been first recorded in Essex in July 1999. I was lucking enough to meet the guy who was one of the first to report them and he pointed out how to distinguish them by their slightly more dainty appearance from the more usual Red-eyed Damselfy E.najas. I'm so pleased that these have used the garden pond, I'll get positive ID , but I'm fairly sure from their appearance in flight that they are E.viridulum and also from the makings on the male's 10th and 8th segments (PS no amount of red-eye reduction will work for these guys?..groan)

rhysrkid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Nov 2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 98	Post Options Post Reply Quote rhysrkid Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jul 2005 at 9:29am
	Gemma I would agree with your ID as the Male clearly shows the extension of the blue colouration (or wedge) from the 'tail end up' (abdominal segment 8) and (you can just make out) from the 'thorax down' (abdominal segment 3) which are not present in the red-eyed dam. The females also appear 'more blue' than their slightly larger counterparts. Nice pic!
	Rhys

administrator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote administrator Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jul 2005 at 12:38pm
	Yep, having been through the books I'm sure now that there is no doubt that they are E.viridium the blue on the sides of segments 2 and 8 are diagnostic Will have to try to get a shot that shows their tomato red eyes more clearly. Would be interested to hear from anyone else that has recorded these. We are only about 8 miles from one of the known breeding ponds, but they are supposed to be extending their range.

rhysrkid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Nov 2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 98	Post Options Post Reply Quote rhysrkid Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jul 2005 at 3:54pm
	Their range has been steadily expanding West from Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk and North from the Isle of wight and they can be found in many locations across SE England. Edited by rhysrkid
	Rhys

rhysrkid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Nov 2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 98	Post Options Post Reply Quote rhysrkid Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jul 2005 at 4:09pm
	Gemma - just found this on the BDS website - http://www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/frameset.htm?ervir&specie s&coe
	Rhys

administrator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote administrator Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jul 2005 at 4:45pm
	Thanks for that Rhys, that is really is interesting. I had heard they had extended their range a great deal in Europe, looks like they will become a common sight in much of the UK in years to come.

Alan Hyde Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1437	Post Options Post Reply Quote Alan Hyde Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jul 2005 at 4:50pm
	Congrats Gemma Looks like your garden's really pulling the wildlife in

administrator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote administrator Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jul 2005 at 5:22pm
	Its been amazing Al, it seems this year there is something new each day. Here's a piccy of a female Emperor filling the pond with eggs, we had plenty of larvae emerge earlier this year, oh do I wish I had the new camera then! I love these, they really deserve the name, truly spectacular beasties Edited by GemmaJF

administrator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote administrator Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Jul 2005 at 5:38pm
	Just another shot of an Emperor 'cause I like them Edited by GemmaJF

administrator Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote administrator Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Jul 2005 at 5:42pm
	.. and a Blue-tailed Damselfly