Willow Emerald Damselfly

Description

Length: Male: 42-47mm; Female: 39-44mm

This damselfly is metallic green, with no blue pruinescence on the male. At rest, the Emerald damselflies all spread their wings at an angle to the body, unlike other damselflies. The pterostigma is pale brown with a black border, and the sides of the thorax show a spur-shaped marking. The male upper appendages are distinctively pale cream with dark tips, a feature shared with only one other Emerald Damselfly in the UK, the Southern Emerald Damselfly, which can be differentiated by its two-toned pterostigma (wing-spot).

Where to See

Latin NameChalcolestes viridis
Habitat

Usually near ponds, canals or other still water with overhanging trees. Willow Emerald Damselfly has a characteristic habit of spending much time up in the trees. The eggs are laid into the bark of willow or alder.

Status & Distribution

Recent colonist. A very few twentieth century records, but recorded in numbers from southeast Suffolk during 2009, with outlying sites in southeast Norfolk and north Essex. In 2010 again present in these areas, with additional records from south Essex and north Kent.

Similar Species

Other members of the Lestes genus are quite similar but L. sponsa is by far the most likely to be found in the UK; note that tenerals of all Lestes species have pale pterostigmas.

Species GroupDamselflies
Identification Notes
  • This damselfly is metallic green, with no blue pruinescence on the male
  • Usually near ponds, canals or other still water with overhanging trees.
  • The eggs are laid into the bark of willow or alder.

 

Similar Species

Scarce Emerald Damselfly
Southern Emerald Damselfly
Emerald Damselfly
/