which dragonfly?

[goosey]

There was a haze of mating blue damselflies Today - thousand of them over the water, in the grass and bushes. There were also at least three male Emperors all being very territorial over the water, and I noticed a Ovipositing female, they were a bit too far away for a decent picture.
But I am not sure at all about this one which was sunbathing on the sandy bank (notice the deer foot prints!). It was certainly smaller than the Emperors.
Help please

[H Dogg]

Its an immature male Black tailed skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by H Dogg

Its an immature male Black tailed skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum.

Thanks, now you have said what it is -I can see it , but I didn't think of looking for immature species and thought I had found something really unusual .

[H Dogg]

Still a very attractive dragonfly though, especially when they are at this stage.

[paul m]

I also saw several blue damselflies on Saturday all seemed much like this -



although some had clearer areas of the wing close to the body.

First question is are these Calyopteryx splendens? If yes, why did they all appear to be males? Or am I getting something wrong ....

[H Dogg]

Yes Paul this is Calopteryx splendens. Females usually stay clear of water when they are not mating or egg laying. Its common to see large numbers of males on bankside vegetation also females are less distinctive.

[paul m]

Originally Posted by H Dogg

Yes Paul this is Calopteryx splendens. Females usually stay clear of water when they are not mating or egg laying. Its common to see large numbers of males on bankside vegetation also females are less distinctive.

Thanks. Looking back through the pictures I think I can see a dull, brownish head and part forebody hiding behind a rush! Each male (or at least one male) after flying a few metres with or chasing another seemed to return to its own spot - is this territorial, staking out an area for mating or was it just like people sunbathing on a beach? I'm very ignorant about odonates, I'm afraid.

[H Dogg]

They are very territorial. Its very common to see them chasing other insects like this, and flicking their wings. Fast oxygen rich runs are the most prized territories.

[paul m]

Originally Posted by H Dogg

They are very territorial. Its very common to see them chasing other insects like this, and flicking their wings. Fast oxygen rich runs are the most prized territories.

Yes, this was a fast piece of water - I was concerned not to fall in! Very muddy, though, which is what I believe is favoured by the species?

[H Dogg]

Yes they like muddy sediment. Beautiful demoiselles prefer sandy gravelly sediment.