Waterston demoiselle  (Calopteryx splendens waterstoni)

This subspecies has not yet been classified by the IUCN.

This damselfly is a subspecies of the banded demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens), a large, robust damselfly with the same style of flitting, butterfly-like flight as that of the beautiful demoiselle (C. virgo) (3) (4). Mature male Waterston damoiselles have a metallic bluish-green body and wholly clear, translucent wings, lacking the typical dark blue area of other subspecies and most other Calopteryx (5). The females have a brilliant metallic green to copper-coloured body and similarly transparent wings (3) (4).

The Waterston demoiselle, one of many subspecies of the Eurasian C. splendens, is confined to a small part of the eastern Black Sea coast of Anatolia (5) (6).

Found only near rivers (5) (6).

The primarily nocturnal larvae of the Calopteryx live amongst tree roots and aquatic plants, and like other damselfly larvae, are active predators. Larvae metamorphose into adult damselfly after one year in hot countries, and emergence typically takes place in herbs, shrubs or trees (4). It takes 7 to 10 days to mature following emergence (6) and the total adult flight period of this particular subspecies lasts from May to the end of September (6). After maturation, males either hold territories around suitable egg-laying sites along a stretch of water, which they defend from other males, or they perch on vegetation at the riverside (5) (7). Whilst territory-holding males actively court females that fly into their territory with a fluttering display flight (4) (5), perching males try to mate with any female that passes by (6). Males will occasionally fight over a territory, engaging in a contest of a series of flights for hours (4). After mating, females oviposit, usually into the tissues of submerged vegetation within the male’s territory, generally guided, supervised and guarded by the male (5) (6). At high density, territorial behaviour disappears (5). The eggs take around 14 days to hatch (4).

The threats to this subspecies are unknown, but the isolation of both its small range (high endemicity) and the various populations deems it vulnerable to extinction.

There are currently no known conservation measures targeting this species.

For further information on dragonflies and damselflies see:

• Silsby, J. (2001) Dragonflies of the World. Natural History Museum, Plymouth.