Exuvia for ID

[goosey]

There aren't alot of Odonata around my stomping groundat the moment, a few common blue and large red damselflies, I have seen a couple of dragonflies but not close up enpough to get a look.

Any chance of an ID on this chap, thanks .

[chris butterworth]

Looks like Broad-bodied Chaser IMO.

Chris

[goosey]

Originally Posted by chris butterworth

Looks like Broad-bodied Chaser IMO.

Chris

The body is in shadow but you can see the width better, I don't know, if it helps?
Is it still right for a broad-bodied chaser?

[chris butterworth]

Looks a touch too narrow across the abdomen in the new photo. More like Four-spot Chaser.

Chris

[RoyW]

It's from a Hairy Dragonfly, Brachytron pratense.

The exuviae of all Libellulids (including chasers) are much more 'squat', with smaller eyes, and a 'mask' that covers the lower half of the face.

[goosey]

Thanks Roy, I haven't seen much by way of dragonflies, hopefully I will have some more for you soon .
Last year rare White-nosed dragonflies were found in The Netherlands, you never know they may have spread their wings and headed my way .

[chris butterworth]

Is there a field guide that includes exuviae. I don't find many, but it'd be nice to know what I'm looking at.

Chris

[goosey]

Originally Posted by chris butterworth

Is there a field guide that includes exuviae. I don't find many, but it'd be nice to know what I'm looking at.

Chris

Yes, that would be handy .

I have found lots of Odonata exuviae over the last few years and they are so interesting in their own right. I think they are a bit scary, sometimes when I have come across one unexpectedly they have given me quite a turn!

Grasshopper and leaf/froghopper exuviae are pretty cool too, I don't come across many but they are rather special.

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by chris butterworth

Is there a field guide that includes exuviae. I don't find many, but it'd be nice to know what I'm looking at.

Chris

For the UK there is the "Field Guide to the larvae and exuviae of British Dragonflies" by Steve Cham.
Originally published as two volumes, now reprinted as one volume.

Many British dragonfly field guides include keys to larvae though, and these can be used to identify any exuviae that you are able to collect (if you aren't able to handle the exuviae to check small details you will often only be able to make identifications to genus, or even family, level.



For European species you are likely to need to purchase a more detailed key. There is a duel language English/German one available, and a recently published French language key (covering western Europe only I believe) - I can find the names if you are interested, but right now I can't be bothered to go upstairs to my bookshelves!).
There may be a photographic field guide covering Europe out in the next few years, so that's one to look out for (see here). This looks like it will be a superb photographic guide when it is finished.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by RoyW

For the UK there is the "Field Guide to the larvae and exuviae of British Dragonflies" by Steve Cham.
Originally published as two volumes, now reprinted as one volume.

.

Has this lots of photographic images or is it mostly text - I like lots of pictures .

[goosey]

This is another exuvia found today, much different than the last - shorter and wider. Or it might be the way the head is thrown back which makes it look shorter.

Exuvia B

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by goosey

Has this lots of photographic images or is it mostly text - I like lots of pictures .

Yes, lots of photos! Take at look at the preview images here (the last two images show most of the Azure Damselfly account).

In your case, it might be worth finding out when the Dutch guide planned by Christophe Brochard is actually going to be out. This was planned to be completed by May 2012, and covers the UK species as well as those of continental countries near to the Netherlands (books often don't get published when planned though). I'll let you know if I find anything out - I plan to email him!).


Your "exuviae B" looks like a Four-spotted Chaser.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by RoyW

In your case, it might be worth finding out when the Dutch guide planned by Christophe Brochard is actually going to be out. This was planned to be completed by May 2012, and covers the UK species as well as those of continental countries near to the Netherlands (books often don't get published when planned though). I'll let you know if I find anything out - I plan to email him!).


Your "exuviae B" looks like a Four-spotted Chaser.

Thanks for the ID.

Now that is a worthy snippet of info', I will be glad to hear from you when you find out more .

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by RoyW

Yes, lots of photos! Take at look at the preview images here (the last two images show most of the Azure Damselfly account).

The link I posted above seems to be wrong - the correct link is here (I hope!) - click on the links on the left side to view each example post.

I have heard that the Dutch guide has now been published, it is only in Dutch though, so although the photos may be useful to those of us who don't read Dutch, I will be waiting for the European guide to be completed - which I believe will be in English (although if it isn't in English I will still be getting a copy!).

[goosey]

Originally Posted by RoyW

The link I posted above seems to be wrong - the correct link is here (I hope!) - click on the links on the left side to view each example post.

I have heard that the Dutch guide has now been published, it is only in Dutch though, so although the photos may be useful to those of us who don't read Dutch, I will be waiting for the European guide to be completed - which I believe will be in English (although if it isn't in English I will still be getting a copy!).

Excellent, thanks Roy

Here it is Fotogids Larvenhuidjes van Libellen - Christophe Brochard, Dick Groenendijk, Ewoud van der Ploeg, Tim Termaat - Webwinkel – KNNV Publishing ,

It does look fantastic, looking at the link you gave, so clear and great detail.
It's a bit dear at 50 Euro's for me at the mo' so I will put it on the back burner for now, but would love it all the same.

[paul m]

Originally Posted by goosey

............ It does look fantastic, looking at the link you gave, so clear and great detail.
It's a bit dear at 50 Euro's for me at the mo' so I will put it on the back burner for now, but would love it all the same.

Sounds a bit of a hint for a birthday present ....