Page 35 - World of Animals - Issue #31

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Lord of the fl ies
L
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As in all
Odonata, the
larvae of
scarce emerald
damselflies
are aquatic

Scarce emerald

damselfly

Britain’s back-from-the-dead damselfl y
Although found extensively throughout Europe, Asia
body and clear
and North America, UK populations of the scarce Metallic green
emerald damselfl y were long considered extinct. That
changed in 1983 when the iridescent insects were wings, with small
rediscovered, and a small number of them now breed black markings
around the Thames estuary. at the tips
Famed for their mesmerising metallic green bodies
and ability to withstand extreme conditions, they’re
also referred to as robust spreadwings.

Southern damselfly Males are bright

These beautiful blue damsels are females are a lighter
blue and black, while
losing their homes to humans blue or green colour

The decline of the southern damselfly is a sad example
of human advancement taking its toll on nature. Intensive
agricultural and forestry practices have ruined the homes of
these poor insects. Common threats include river straightening,

swamp drainage, field destruction and water pollution.

It’s proving fatal for the world’s southern damselfly
population, which stretches across Europe and into North
Africa. Although only classified as Near Threatened by the

IUCN, this status is likely to become more serious in the
coming years as natural habitats continue to disappear.
Around 25 per cent of the world’s southern damselflies live

in the UK. Thankfully efforts by farmers and conservation
agencies are helping to preserve some of these precious
insects. You’re most likely to see them in Hampshire’s New
Forest or Pembrokeshire’s Preseli mountains. However, they

are easily confused with the common damselfly, an abundant
insect with similar colouration.
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