Southern damselfly  (Coenagrion mercuriale)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Biology

Increasingly more is known of the biology of this species as a result of research initiated by the UK southern damselfly Species Action Plan Steering Group (2). Adults can be seen flying between mid-May to August (7), the flight is weak, and they tend to stay level with grasses and other vegetation (8). As with all odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), males and females fly linked together in tandem whilst mating, forming the 'wheel position' (8). When female southern damselflies lay their eggs, they often remain in tandem with the male and drag him below water where the eggs are laid on submerged or emergent vegetation (2). The larvae, which are voracious predators, hatch soon after the eggs are laid, but development to the adult stage takes 2 years (8).

left