Small Red Damselfly - British Dragonfly Society

Description

Adult

Length: 31mm

One of our smallest damselflies, this is one of only two red damselfly species in the UK. The male has an all red abdomen. The female exists in several colour forms varying in the amount of red and black on the abdomen from nearly all black in f. melanogastrum to an uncommon red form, erythrogastrum. Both sexes have a bronze-black thorax and red legs and pterostigma.

Flight Period: June (May) – August (September)

Larvae

Squat with broad and short caudal lamellae with dark veins. Hind margin of head distinctivly angular.

Where to See

Weight	1
Latin Name	Ceriagrion tenellum
Habitat	Found in shallow pools, seepages and streams in heathland bog.
Status & Distribution	Rare. Restricted to heathlands in southern England and west Wales.
Similar Species	The only other red damselfly in the UK is the Large Red Damselfly. The Large Red has black legs and pterostigma and the male never has an entirely red abdomen.
Species Group	Damselflies
Family
Identification Notes	Both sexes have reddish legs and eyes One of our smallest damselflies, this is one of only two red damselfly species in the UK. The male has an all red abdomen. The female exists in several colour forms varying in the amount of red and black on the abdomen Both sexes have a bronze-black thorax and red legs and pterostigma. Found in shallow pools, seepages and streams in heathland bog in southern England and west Wales. Length: 31mm Jun – August

Similar Species

Large Red Damselfly