Let Nature take its course – it may work out better than we suppose

15/05/2026

Should we intervene to rescue that damselfly with the crumpled wings? I suggest not. As they emerge, their wings may naturally straighten while being pumped up – to five times their larval-stage size. Rescue risks damage to these fragile jewels.

Of course, emergence is a dangerous time for a damselfly, as shown by this photo. The body also has to elongate to twice its larval-stage length and both the wings and body have to harden before it can fly properly. But let’s not make it riskier by trying to assist. If the wings really are deformed there is nothing we can do to help and they’ve had 300 million years to practise emergence. Leave them be.

For more photos of Large Red Damselflies see our Species page or visit Pete Hillman’s Nature Blog.

David Hepper, Records Officer