Meet Cephalozygoptera! The newly described, and sadly extinct, Odonata suborder
Researchers from Simon Fraser University, Canada, announced the classification of a new suborder of extinct Odonata after conducting an extensive review of fossil specimens and scientific papers dating back as far as 162 years. Within the historic studies they found descriptions of specimens that matched fossils collected from British Columbia and Washington State. On first … Continued
Dragonfly-inspired nanotechnology in the fight against disease
After almost a year of dousing ourselves in hand sanitiser we are all well aware of the importance of disinfectants in the fight to control the spread of COVID-19. However, scientists at the Imperial College of London are investigating other means of killing pathogens without the use of harsh chemicals. Just like the COVID-19 virus, … Continued
Top Hertfordshire Dragonfly Site Criminally Destroyed
Police and the Environment Agency are currently investigating the destruction of two protected ponds at Smallford Pits Local Wildlife Site near Saint Albans. Local residents were left aghast after discovering that the ponds at their treasured wildlife hotspot had been polluted, with either diesel or petrol, in December 2020. Earlier in September, of the same … Continued
Pond Ponderings: Chapter One of My Pond Story by Carolyn Cooksey
Our Secretary Carolyn Cooksey is our newest Pond Ponderings writer. In chapter one of Carolyn’s pond story we hear about the creation of a garden pond at her new home in Huntingdonshire: Inspired by Fiona’s campaigns on ponds, in my Autumn 2019 update in Dragonfly News, I rather rashly committed to putting a pond … Continued
Support the BDS while you shop on Amazon
Stock up on good karma while you shop with Amazon Smile. Select the British Dragonfly Society as your chosen charity and Amazon will donate a small percentage of your purchase to us! Competing for funding during the Covid pandemic has been tougher than ever so we’re grateful for every penny donated to help us continue … Continued
Volunteers needed for White-faced Darter surveys at Black Lake, Cheshire
The rare and endangered White-faced Darter was reintroduced to a specially managed pool in Delemere Forest back in 2013. In 2020 adults were spotted nearby at Black Lake for the first time, a sign the population might be spreading. The Wildlife Trust is looking for volunteers with dragonfly recording experience to help carry out simple … Continued
Download “Dragonflies in Devon” by Dave Smallshire
Dave Smallshire, veteran County Dragonfly Recorder for Devon, has released a guide to the county’s Dragonflies, which you can download here, or from the Devon BDS page. The publication provides and in depth account of the county’s species as well as the history of dragonfly recording in Devon. Image by Richard Munckton
PhD opportunity studying Irish Damselfly at Belfast University
QUADRAT studentship UK and all international students are eligible Deadline: 18/01/2021 Main objectives of the project: 1) To determine the phylogenetic relationship of the Irish Damselfly to the other populations across Europe; 2) To investigate the species population genetics (connectivity, effective population size, levels of inbreeding, etc.) within Ireland; 3) To develop integrative models … Continued
‘Ecological vandalism’ on the River Lugg
A mile of the River Lugg, near Kingsland, has been illegal bulldozed and straightened while the surrounding trees have been cut down. The River Lugg is designated a SSSI, site of special scientific interest, due to its high ecological value. The river support numerous species of dragonfly, as well as protected species such as Otter. … Continued
Pond Ponderings: Only one year old and full of dragonflies!
An update from Pamela Styles on her fairly new pond in Wales: Now that we’ve reached the end of a summer that was very different than expected, I’m even more grateful for the wildlife pond in my garden than I was last year! I have spent immeasurable hours sitting beside it over the past … Continued