Shropshire Birder
Dragonflies and Damselflies of Shropshire
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Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens)
Slow flowing muddy rivers are the classic breeding location for this species and the banks of the River Severn during June and July are the place to look. After dispersal, they may turn up elsewhere - I've photographed them at Venus Pool and Berrington Pool. Males are unmistakable with a central wing band and metallic blue green body. Females are metallic green and similar to the Beautiful demoiselle but the wings have a greenish (rather than brownish) tint.
A male resting on bankside vegetation ....
A male, the metallic sheen of the abdomen and iridescent wings lit up by bright sunlight at Venus Pool....
Always very striking and photogenic, three more males from the 2011 season.
Nice to have the clean background of the river when pershed on overhanging vegetation
A female Banded Demoiselle, difficult to distinguish from the 'Beautiful' but the wings are greenish rather than brown tinted.....
A pair mating, easy to pick the female (greenish wings) with confidence here!.....
Another female.....
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