& of the Highlands An identification guide

Golden-ringed

Dragonflies are amazing that combine stunning colours with awesome aerial displays.This guide will help you identify the 18 of dragonfly and found in the Highlands. You can get involved by recording the species you see and sending in your records.This will contribute to a national atlas of Dragonflies.

Published by Highland Council 1M 2M 3M

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DAMSELFLIES 2 Emerald Damselfly 3 Large Red Damselfly Cuileagan Cruinneig Cruinneag Uaine Cruinneag Dhearg 1 Beautiful Demoiselle Length: 35 – 39mm Length: 33 – 36mm Òigheag Bhrèagha Range: widespread Range: widespread Length: 45 – 49mm Rarity: common Rarity: common Range: Lochaber, west of Fort Habitat: well vegetated Habitat: standing or very William and Sleat on Skye standing water, ditches and slow moving water Rarity: restricted to the above loch margins Seen: May to August areas but under-recorded Seen: late June to September A distinctive red and black Habitat: only found in A slender species, with a damselfly that is the first to running water, burns and weak, fluttery flight. Males be seen in late spring. rivers with stoney bottoms are metallic green with blue Females are darker with Seen: late May to late August segments 9 and 10 on the black and yellow bands on This species is unmistakable rear of the abdomen. the abdomen. Unusually for as the males have dark blue Females are a duller green damselflies the males are wings and a metallic blue- with a pale brown abdomen. territorial so this keeps green body. Females have metallic bronze-green bodies On dull days often rests on the numbers low at with golden-brown tinged vegetation near water waterbodies. wings. Most activity takes holding its wings half open. place near water with the The most common late males displaying to females summer damselfly. using a fast, fluttering flight. Females only come to the watertomateorlayeggs,so are not seen as often as males. Immatures and females can be found away from the water at the edges of Bracken stands or woodland. 4M 5M 6M

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4 Northern Damselfly 5 Common Blue 6 Blue-tailed Damselfly Cruinneag a’ Chinn a Tuath Damselfly Cruinneag Ghrinn Length: 31 – 33mm Cruinneag Chumanta Length: 30 – 34mm Range: restricted to only 30 Length: 29 – 36mm Range: widespread sites in the Cairngorms Range: widespread Rarity: can be localised but is National Park Rarity: common possibly under-recorded Rarity: rare Habitat: standing water Habitat: standing water Habitat: shallow pond or Seen: June to mid Seen: May to early lochan edges sheltered by September September sedges Males are bright blue, flying Commonly seen flying low Seen: late May to early August fast and low over the water, down among waterside The only UK damselfly only often in large numbers.They vegetation but also far from found in Scotland.The black can be distinguished by the water. Males are dark, almost and blue males fly slowly club-shaped black mark on metallic black with a bright and weakly among widely the top of segment 2 of the spaced aquatic vegetation blue band (segment 8) on nearly always below the abdomen and the blue the rear of the abdomen and tops of plants and avoid upper surface of segments 8 a green or blue thorax. large areas of open water. and 9. Both males and Females usually have a dull The underside of the eyes females have a single black brown band (segment 8) and and face are bright green. stripe on the side of thorax. either a brown/pale The male has 2 short black Females are much drabber grey/pink thorax. Males and lines on each side than males with more black females have a small black of the thorax, and a spear- and can come in yellow, pale and white wing spot at the shaped mark and 2 green or brown forms.All end of each wing. black lines on the females have a spine second abdominal underneath segment 8. segment. Females are pea-green with the 2 thorax lines. 7M 8M 9M

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DRAGONFLIES Tarbh Nathrach 9 Hawkers.These are fast flying insects, chasing after prey Tarbh Nathrach a’ and seldom seen perching (apart from the Azure Hawker). Chinn a Deas 7 Azure Hawker 8 Length: 65 – 75mm Tarbh Nathrach Liath Tarbh Nathrach Range: spreading. Southern Length: 54 – 64mm nan Cuilcean Lochaber and from Garve to Range: a few Strathspey sites Length: 65 – 80mm coastal Easter Ross, Strathglass, and scattered all over the Range: widespread over to coastal Morayshire west Highlands but not Rarity: common Rarity: becoming more common Skye. Under-recorded Habitat: most standing Habitat: most lowland Rarity: rare waters to an altitude of standing waters Habitat: boggy moorland, 600+ metres Seen: late June to October open birch woodland and Seen: July to October This large hawker is moss-rich bog pools up to This large hawker is a fast an altitude of 600+ metres inquisitive and will come and powerful flier, being Seen: late May to July within a few feet of an difficult to approach.They This species is restricted to observer.The females have almost never perch. Males Scotland. It spends a lot of apple green markings on a have paired blue and yellow time perched, basking on black background, with three markings on the abdomen rocks and tree trunks.The bands of green at the end of but appear very dark in their abdomen. Males have a bright blue males fly fast and flight. Females are usually similar green colour but the low at the edges of pools. dull yellow with a brown underside of their abdomen The males are blue and black, background or sometimes is powder blue as are the with no yellow markings. blue/green.This species has three stripes at the end of Females can have the male a distinctive yellow leading their abdomen. Common colouration or are yellowy edge to its wings. Females Hawkers have paired spots at brown and black. Neither sex can be found egg-laying on the end of their abdomen and has coloured stripes on the cold mornings at the end of these are the best features to top of the thorax. the flight season. separate these two species. 10M 11M 12M

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Golden-ringed. These are Emeralds. They are similar 12 Brilliant Emerald represented by only one to Hawkers but smaller. Smàrag Ghleansach Length: 49 – 57mm species in the UK.They 11 Downy Emerald behave exactly the same as Smàrag Range: only found in Hawkers. Umha-dhathte Strathnairn and Strathglass Rarity: rare 10 Golden-ringed Length: 46 – 54mm Dragonfly Range: only found in Habitat: large ponds and Tarbh Nathrach Strathglass and Glen Affric lochans with tree cover Òrfhàinneach Rarity: rare along part of the bank Length: 74 – 85mm Habitat: large ponds and Seen: late May to August Range: widespread. lochans with tree cover The most green of the Emerald Dragonflies. Both Rarity: common in along part of the bank sexes have a slight yellow upland areas Seen: late May to July tinge to their wings.Aside Habitat: upland burns, A medium-sized dragonfly from the colour, the male moorland and woodland that appears dark unless has a waisted abdomen but rides seen well in bright sunlight. without the obvious bulge of Seen: June to mid The male has an abdomen the Downy September that bulges noticeably at Emerald. The One of Britain’s largest segments 7 and 8. Both female is dragonflies and readily sexes have bright green eyes unmistakable if approachable.The bright and a small amount of seen from the yellow bands on a black yellow-brown suffusing the side; she has what background and bright green very base of the wings. looks like a thorn eyes make identification pointing down at 90 degrees, at the simple. Males have a very end of the pinched waist and females underside of her abdomen. have a pointed end to their This species has brown, not abdomen for egg laying. dark-coloured wing spots. 13M 14M 15M

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13 Northern Emerald Chasers. As the name suggests Skimmers. Their behaviour Smàrag na Mòintich the males constantly patrol low is very similar to darters but Length: 45 – 51mm over the water, at about knee they fly low over the ground Range: widespread but height to find prey, chase off or water in an erratic flight. under-recorded. Not found rivals and find females. north of Lairg 15 Keeled Skimmer 14 Four-spotted Chaser Uachdarair Dìreach Rarity: uncommon Ruagaire Ceithir-bhallach Habitat: sphagnum bog pools Length: 38 – 46mm Length: 40 – 48mm Range: Morven and a few with scattered cotton grass Range: widespread among open woods or moors scattered sites on the Rarity: common Seen: early June to August west coast Habitat: moorland bogs, This dragonfly is often seen Rarity: rare ditches and ponds patrolling at about one metre Habitat: runnels and open Seen: May to August above the water. It flies fast and bog pools Males are extremely active, straight at height, often feeding Seen: late May to August flying rapidly then returning along the tree tops, and is The males have a tapering, to the same perch. Unusually difficult to approach.This is a powder blue abdomen, the for a male dragonfly they are medium sized very dark only dragonfly in the not territorial, so they can be metallic green, almost black, Highlands with this colour. dragonfly with distinctive found at densities of 30+. Of moderate size and likened to Females have a parallel-sided, shining green eyes and a golden-brown abdomen characteristic box shaped a flying cigar. Both sexes have with a black line down the thorax and a flattened a narrow, tapering dark centre (the keel) and black abdomen.When viewed from brown abdomen with yellow cross lines above each the side it looks like a sides and a black tip.The matchbox with a piece of string wings are characteristically segment joint. trailing behind it. Males have a marked with brown patches distinctive “earwig-like” at the base and a smaller spot calliper-shaped clasper at the on the middle of the leading end of their abdomen. wing edge. 16M 17M 18M

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Darters. Theydartfroma 17 Black Darter 18 White Faced Darter perch to catch prey or Gathair Dubh Gathair Bàn-aghaidheach chase after mates. Length: 29 – 34mm Length: 31 – 36mm Range: widespread Range: not found north of 16 Wester Ross. Scattered Gathair Cumanta Rarity: common sitesinEasterRoss, Length: 35 – 44mm Habitat: moorland pools Inverness-shire and Lochaber Range: widespread and bogs with plenty of vegetation and a few Strathspey sites. Rarity: common Under-recorded Habitat: ponds, lochs and Seen: mid-July to September. This small dragonfly has a Rarity: uncommon very slow moving burns short, erratic flight with Habitat: bog pools Seen: July to mid-September supporting floating and frequent perching among A small, restless dragonfly submerged moss vegetation near water. Males that regularly perches Seen: mid-May to mid-July have black abdomens with among bank side vegetation, A small dragonfly that flies in yellow markings on the side often returning to the same an agitated, skittish manner. of the thorax, and paired spot. Males have a dark red Frequently hovering low yellow spots on lower abdomen and the females over water and will bask on abdomen (these can fade have a yellowish to light bare soil or vegetation. It is with age). Females and brown abdomen. Both have not easily approached. Males immature males are yellow, black markings on the side are dark almost black with the females turning olive with of the thorax and underside two or three red spots on age. Both sexes have of the abdomen, and black the abdomen and red on the completely black legs. marks on segments 8 and 9. thorax that fades with age. Females and immatures have The characteristic white face The black legs have a a black triangle on is not always that obvious. distinctive yellow stripe, this top of the thorax, this Females and young males is only visible when the distinguishes them from the have yellow and black insects are perched. very similar Common Darter. markings on the abdomen The UK’s smallest dragonfly. and thorax. Guide to dragonfly flight periods in the Highlands Warm, settled weather is the major factor for early emergence and extended flight period Common Name Latin Name Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo Emerald Damselfly Large Red Damselfly nymphula Northern Damselfly Coenagrion hastulatum Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans Azure Hawker caerulea Common Hawker Aeshna juncea Southern Hawker Aeshan cyanea Golden-ringed Dragonfly Cordulegaster boltonii Downy Emerald Cordulia aenea Brilliant Emerald metallica Northern Emerald Somatochlora arctica Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata Keeled Skimmer Orthertrum coerulescens Common Darter striolatum Black Darter White-faced Darter Leucorrhinia dubia

key flight period early/late flight period

What is a dragon/damselfly? Dragonflies are large robust insects about the width and length of a cigarette.They have eyes that meet in the middle and when at rest, they hold their broad wings out at 90 degrees to their body. Damselflies are much finer insects about the size and width of a matchstick.They have teardrop-shaped wings that are held parallel with their body when they land.The Emerald Damselfly is different from the other damselflies as it holds its wings at 45 degrees to its body. Confusingly when talking about both dragonflies and damselflies the word Dragonfly is used!

Dragonfly life-cycle Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the order of insects called (meaning toothed jaw).There are over 5,500 species worldwide and about 50 are found in Britain, 18 of these breed in the Highlands. Dragonflies were one of the first flying insects and fossil dragonflies have been found that are 325 million years old. Large Red Damselflies Mating The majority of a dragonfly’s life is spent underwater as a . Some species can spend five years or more as a larva. In late spring or early summer, when the larva is fully grown, it crawls out of the water and seeks a suitable spot close to the edge of the water to emerge. Once free of its larval skin its wings and body expand and dry; once this has happened the adult makes its first flight. During mating the male and female form a wheel shape with the male holding onto the female’s neck using his claspers. Egg laying takes place after mating and in most species the male will continue to hold onto the female’s neck (known as being in tandem) or he will hover close to her, guarding the female to prevent other males mating with her.The female lays eggs either directly into water or in mud or in vegetation depending upon the species. Watching damselflies and dragonflies • Choose warm, sunny days with little or no wind • Check the flight period table to see what might be flying • Ponds with vegetation and no fish are usually better places to visit • The best equipment is your own eyes, sit quietly and wait • Close focussing binoculars can be useful for identifying perched insects • Dragonflies are delicate creatures so avoid handling them where possible • They do not sting or bite • Ponds can be dangerous, do not enter the water, your own safety comes first • Watch out for deep water, steep slippery banks and other obstacles • Be aware of water borne diseases and ticks • Make sure you wear appropriate footwear and clothing • Carry food and drink, a map and compass (and know how to use them) • Take a notebook and pen to record any sightings • A GPS is very useful for obtaining accurate locations Diagram of a typical dragonfly Larvae Head You can identify dragonflies by examining larvae, but this is not covered in this publication, see the British Dragonfly Society website for more information. There are three main types of larvae: • Hawkers:These are about 4cm long when fully grown and torpedo-shaped. • Chasers: darters and emeralds;These are about Thorax Abdominal 1-2cm long with squat, rounded bodies. segment • Damselflies:These are around 1cm long.They are Abdomen number 1 much less chunky than the dragonflies.The Emerald Damselfly larvae is the exception being Abdominal up to 3cm long, very slim with long tail fins and Clasper segment it swims in a sinuous, fishy manner. number 10 Good sites to see dragonflies in the Highlands Site Name How to get there Main interest OS grid ref & other location detailsMore information Dunnet Forest, Dunnet Forest lies to the south of the 6 species of dragon and damselflies have been There is a car park and paths through Dunnet Forest Trust www.dunnetforest.org Caithness village of Dunnet, adjacent to the A836 recorded from the surrounding site the forest and two accessible ponds. Caithness Countryside Rangers Thurso to John O'Groats road ND221699 01847 821531 Culag Wood, Culag woodland is one kilometre south 10 species of dragonfly and damselfly have Car park by the road, good paths Culag Community Woodland Trust on Lochinver, of the village of Lochinver on the been recorded locally.The bog in the through the woodland and access to 01571 844368 or www.culagwoods.org.uk Sutherland unclassified road to Inverkirkaig woodland is an excellent spot for watching the shore of Loch Culag. NC094213 Sutherland Countryside Rangers 01571 844654 Forsinard RSPB On the A897, 24 miles from Helmsdale.There6 species recorded.Three damselflies and three The Reserve Visitor Centre is in the RSPB Forsinard is also a train station beside the reserve dragonflies, there must be more to be found Train Station. NC891425 01641 571225 Inverewe NTS The garden is less than a one mile walk 12 species recorded nearby including;Azure The main car park is 1 mile north NTS Inverewe Ranger Service from Poolewe along the A832 Hawker,White-faced Darter & Northern Emerald.of Poolewe 01445 781470 Torridon NTS The Countryside Centre is just off the 12 species recorded including; There are several footpaths in the NTS Torridon A896 at the Turn off to Torridon village Azure Hawker,White-faced Darter and area passing through large areas of 0844 4932229 Northern Emerald bogland. NG905557 Beinn Eighe Two miles north-west of Kinlochewe off 13 species recorded including; There are numerous trails both low levelBeinn Eighe Visitor Centre 01445 760254. Visitor Centre the A832 road Keeled Skimmer,Azure Hawker,White-faced and high going through extensive areas April to October Darter and Northern Emerald of bogland and woodland. NH019630 Monadh Mor, The car park is two miles north-west One of the best places to see White-faced A variety of paths and several large Forestry Commission Scotland - Black Isle from the Tore roundabout on the A835 Darter in the UK. 9 species recorded with the ponds on the site. NH579525 Inverness Recreation Ranger suspicion of another two being present 01463 791575 Culbin Forest Leave the A96 Inverness – Aberdeen road 9 species recorded. Good for Wellhill car park. NH997615 Forestry Commission Scotland - Moray at Brodie, following the signs to Culbin Southern Hawker 01343 820223 Loch Bran One mile south of Foyers, on the south 10 species recorded including the Car park and boggy track to the Inverness, Ross and east side of Loch Ness, on the B853 take Brilliant Emerald Dragonfly loch side. NH507192 Skye Forest District the left hand turn on a sharp bend. 400 01463 791575 metres along this road is the car park CoireLochand Glen Affric is 5 miles west of Cannich on 14 species recorded, Southern Hawker has beenPark at the first car park you come Inverness, Ross and Glen Affric the Glen Affric road, off the A831.There recorded close by so it could be 15 soon.All to, Dog Falls. Signed trails to Coire Skye Forest District are three car parks in the Glen. three Emerald dragonflies found at Coire Loch Loch. NH289284 01463 791575 Anagach Woods, Follow signs from the Square in 12 species recorded including From the car park by golf course take Highland Ranger Service 01479 873914 Grantown-on- Grantown to woodland walks and Northern Damselfly, Northern Emerald & the Green route to an area of bog Spey Speyside Way White-faced Darter woodland. NJ038272 Abernethy From A95 off the B970 near 13 species recorded on the RSPB Reserve Various ponds by trails in woods, use carRSPB Abernethy NNR, Boat of Boat of Garten, follow signs to the including Northern Damselfly,Azure Hawker park at B970 Boat of Garten junction, or01479 831476 Garten RSPB Osprey Centre & White-faced Darter near Loch Garten. NH966192 Rothiemurchus, From Aviemore take the B970 to 12 species including Northern Damselfly, Inverdruie car park or Loch an Eilein Rothiemurchus Ranger Service Aviemore Inverdruie Northern Emerald & White-faced Darter car park is a 1km walk from Lochan 01479 812329 Mor. NH898095 Balmacara Balmacara Garden is 2.5 miles east of 11 species recorded here including Northern Balmacara Square Car Park. Balmacara Ranger Service 01599 511231 Estate. NTS Kyle, just off the A87(T), as is the Square Emerald, Golden-ringed Dragonfly and White- NG 80652831 faced Darter. Glencoe Turn off the A82(T) at Glencoe village. 7 species have been recorded from this site, From here trails lead to the lochan Iain MacEchern, Recreation Forester Lochan, Pass through the village and over the including the Southern Hawker and there are two ponds by the car Lochaber Forest District Lochaber River Coe bridge.The entrance to the park. NN104593 01397 702184 woodland and car park is signposted on [email protected] your left a short distance later Get involved and help dragonflies You can contribute to the National Dragonfly Atlas Project which, seeks to update the known distribution of British dragonfly and damselfly species. Recording is essential to help map these amazing insects and to help identify important areas for them.Volunteers are needed to record in one or more 10km squares – there are many squares in the Highlands that have no or few records.You can help fill in these gaps. Contact Jonathan Willet, Biodiversity Officer, Highland Council, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX, Email: [email protected] ,Tel: 01463 702274 for more information about under-recorded areas in Highland. Any record of a damselfly or dragonfly is useful and you should record what species you saw, how many, when and where you saw it and if possible a grid reference from an Ordnance Survey map. Records of egg laying and mating are particularly important. Send all records to either Jonathan Willet or to the Scottish Dragonfly Recorder, Pat Batty. E-mail: [email protected] For more information about dragonflies and information on local or national events, check out the British Dragonfly Society’s website: www.dragonflysoc.org.uk. To see the distribution of dragonflies and damselflies in Highland look at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway www.searchnbn.net This leaflet was funded by the Highland Council.Thanks to Kat Parkes, Pat Batty and Craig Macadam for their help in putting together this leaflet. Photographs copyright of Nick Littlewood, Jonathan Willet,Audrey & Bob Turner, David Kitching, Scottish Natural Heritage,Tim Caroen, Matthew Webster, Jonathan P Tyler, Alan Nelson, Darren Bradley, Isabel Carrahar, David Goddard and the British Dragonfly Society. To request this information in an alternative format, e.g. large print, Braille, computer disc, audio tape, or suitable language, please e-mail [email protected] or telephone 01349 861994.