15 Jun
Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies breeding in Cheshire?

Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies breeding in Cheshire?

An immature female Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura pumilio) was recorded last month by David Bowman at Woolston Eyes Nature Reserve east of Warrington. Immature females of this species are easily identified by their bright orange coloration, referred to as the aurantiaca colour form. Mature adults of the same species are often overlooked due to their similar appearance to the more common Blue-tailed Damselfly (Ischnura elegans). Woolston Eyes is not far from Moore Nature Reserve, which is just to the west of Warrington, where an immature female was recorded last year which was also a first for the reserve.

No breeding colonise are currently known within Cheshire so recorders are urged to keep an eye out for the species, particularly in the Warrington area, at potential breeding sites.

Species identification and habitat information.

Image by Frédéric-Barszezak.