Species of conservation importance in Monmouthshire
The following list of species of conservation importance for Monmouthshire has been drawn up using the British Dragonfly Society’s criteria. This list can be downloaded as a PDF document here.
This list was last revised in 2022 using data available at that time. Now that interim atlas maps, which give a more accurate and up-to-date view of the local status of each species, are available, a further revision is warranted, and this is planned for later in 2023.
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly | Scarce and localised within Monmouthshire; specialised habitat. Near-threatened on a UK scale. |
Variable Damselfly | Scarce and localised within Monmouthshire; specialised habitat. Near-threatened on a UK scale. |
White-legged Damselfly | Uncommon in Monmouthshire; specialised habitat; indicative of high-quality sites with the potential for colonisation by other important breeding species; on western edge of UK range |
Small Red Damselfly | Probably extinct in Monmouthshire; if present, likely to be localised and in very small numbers; specialised habitat. Nationally Scarce on a UK scale. |
Brown Hawker | Inexplicably localised, with only one reliable Monmouthshire site |
Common Hawker | Scarce and localised within Monmouthshire; specialised habitat |
Hairy Dragonfly | Uncommon and localised within Monmouthshire; specialised habitat |
Common Clubtail | A keystone riverine species indicative of high water quality; the River Wye is one of the main UK strongholds for the species. Near-threatened on a UK scale. |
Keeled Skimmer | Scarce and localised within Monmouthshire; specialised habitat |
Black Darter | Scarce and localised within Monmouthshire; specialised habitat |