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Talkback: First damselfly of the season

Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
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Hi Richard

I expect quite a few people will have seen Large Red Damselflies as their 'first': that's certainly what happened in my garden (see 'Emerging Large Red Damselfly' on http://thegardenpondblog.org.uk/2009/05/09/emerging-large-red-damselfly/)

Posts

  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I have just seen one in my garden this morning!
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    THIS MORNING WHILE I WAS CLEANING THE WINDOWS ONE PERCHED ITSELF ON THE LEDGE OF THE WINDOW SUNNING ITS LOVELY SPARKERLY BLUE BODY AND LOVELY LEADED WINGS..
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I saw my first damselfly - a large red - here in the walled garden on May 6th which seems very early for Northumberland!
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Hi We have also spotted a Damsen fly today in our garden whilst sitting in the glorious sunshine. We are in the North East at the coast.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    hello, When do the first ladybirds appear, i have'nt seen any and neither has anyone i know. we are in cheshire and have just returned from 2 weeks in south wales, none there either.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Damselfly update

    Sunday 23rd May and there is the large red damselfly, Pyrrhosoma nymphula. It's not around the pond, but settled on the side of the paddling pool, set up for 4-year-old.

    Reply to Poddy

    They shouldn't be long now. London ladybirds are well out and about now. I've had 7-spot, harlequin and orange.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I had red damsel flies around a new pond I put in this year. Very welcome sight to see and hope to see more wildlife in the area I have set aside for them.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    In the New Forest at the weekend we saw 3 very dark blue damselflies with solid dark blue, opaque wings. They appeared aggressively territorial, chasing off any butterflies or dragonflies that came close. The images of damselflies I have found so far all show translucent wings, which these were not. Can anyone suggest what species they might be please? Many thanks.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    We put our wildlife pond in in February. Last weekend we found 2 damselfries mating. It was like watching a wildlife programme!. The male was pining the female down to make sure that she layed his fertilised eggs - amazing!
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Reply to Gillian di-Carlo

    These were probably demoiselle flies, there are two UK species. Solid dark blue wings probably male of beautiful demoiselle, Calopteryyx virgo. Try this link:

    http://www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/cavir.html
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