Where to See
Latin Name | Calopteryx virgo |
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Habitat | Mainly found along streams and rivers, particularly those with sand or gravel bottoms. The males rest on bank side vegetation waiting for females. |
Status & Distribution | Found in both Britain; the bulk of the population is spread across Wales, south-west England. There are a few scattered populations in northern England and western Scotland. |
Similar Species | The Banded Demoiselle is the only other British damselfly with coloured wings but the males only have partly coloured wings and the females have green-tinged wings. Beware! Internet searches tends to find related American species such as the Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata), also known as the Black-winged Damselfly, but such species do not occur in Europe and have never been known to cross the Atlantic. |
Species Group | Damselflies |
Identification Notes |
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Flight Period | ![]() |
Larval Information | Demoiselle larvae have long bodies, short spikey caudal llamellae and long ‘horn-like’ antennae. Prominant ‘occipital tooth’ behind each eye. Single pale band on the caudal lamellae. Only Banded Demoiselle are similar in appearance. |