May Damselflies and Butterflies from 2022 Survey

 Added to the 27th May Survey (previous post) are the insects seen:

Butterflies:

Two Speckled Woods basking on a leaf, two Small White, three Large White, a House Sparrow unsuccessful in its attempt to catch one; too many bees to count everywhere on brambles in the sun on the river banks, a Holly Blue, two Green-veined Whites, and a Comma butterfly. There were large numbers of Hoverflies, most over grasses on the embankment slopes.

Damselflies:

In addition there was a fantastic mix of the two most prevalent Damselflies here seen emerging from the river and others chasing over the surface, hunting insect prey or basking on leaves on the banks in the sun. These were Beautiful Demoiselle Damselflies (six male and three females) and Banded Demoiselle Damselflies. (one male and two females). Most of the males were low down on river perches ie twigs and branches following small insects eg midges with their large eyes and flying up to grab the prey and return to a perch. Females were seen further away on bank-side leaves or flying over grasses.

These are not the typical pond dragonflies but are river specialists. Here, having two rivers providing different habitats, they can fly to areas close by to locate optimum habitats. One was seen chasing a Large Red damselfly.

The day of the survey was not the first time the damselflies had been seen this spring. They were present on the river on 17th May, a fine warm day, with two Red Kites sailing above.

A male Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly (no demarcated 'bands' on the wings)

There were several other males but with with clearly demarcated  'banded' wings which refused to remain still, being actively aggressive towards other males. These are simply called Banded Demoiselle damselflies.

A female Banded Demoiselle Damselfly warming up on a leaf further from the water.

The females are not visibly  'Banded' but have quite fine greenish wings with a metallic green body and a white false wing spot near the end of each wing. There is a photo of two perched on leaves in the previous post. They favour large flat leaves facing the sun, such as Nettle or Bramble.

These will not be present in polluted waters.