Southern damselfly
19 April 2010
The Southern Damselfly is a rare species that is protected in Britain and which occupies small streams and runnels. Like all damselflies, the larval stage lives under water and emerges to become a flying adult. Poor quality habitat and low genetic variation continue to threaten this species although the situation is improving.
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Southern Damselfly male (c) Phil Watts
Latin name:Coenagrion mercuriale
Population numbers: Southern Damselflies are restricted to a small number of sites in the New Forest, Devon, South Wales and Anglesey.
Where to see and when: Adults are on the wing from late May to early August. Look for adults low down in vegetation during the hottest part of sunny days. Males are bright blue with black markings – check for the ‘mercury’ mark on the second abdominal segment, behind the wings. Females are dull green with black markings and blue divisions between segments.
What’s being done: Field studies and genetic work have greatly improved conservationists’ understanding of this species and its habitat requirements. As a result of this knowledge, appropriate management has been secured at all of the known sites and re-establishment at a former site is also underway.
More information
Species action plan
(UK Biodiversity Action Plan)Coenagrion mercuriale - Southern Damselfly
(British Dragonfly Society)
