Damselflies & of the Cairngorms

Male and female Northern in tandem

An identification guide Dragonflies are amazing that combine stunning colours with awesome aerial displays. This guide will help you identify the 13 of and damselfly found in and around the . You can get involved and record all these species and help put together a national atlas of dragonflies. Published by The Cairngorms LBAP 1M 2M 3M

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Damselflies Delicate 2. Large Red Damselfly vegetation usually below the insects, weak fluttery flight. Tot: 33 – 36mm tops of plants, and avoid large Eyes on each side of oblong Range: Cairngorms-wide areas of open water. The head, wings usually held Rarity: common underside of the eyes and closed at rest. Habitat: still or slow face are bright green. Males 1. Emerald Damselfly moving water have two short black lines on Total body length (Tot): Seen: May to August each side of the thorax, and 35 – 39mm A distinctive red and black a spear-shaped mark and 2 Range: Cairngorms-wide damselfly that is often the black lines on the second Rarity: common first to be seen in late spring. abdominal segment. Females Habitat: well vegetated Females are darker with are pea-green with the 2 standing water, ditches and black and yellow bands on thorax lines. loch edges the abdomen. Males defend 4. Common Blue Seen: June to September their territories vigorously. Damselfly A slender species, with a 3. Northern Damselfly Tot: 29 – 36mm weak, fluttery flight. Males Tot: 31 – 33mm Range: Cairngorms-wide are metallic green with blue Range: limited to only 30 Rarity: common segments 9 and 10 on the sites in the Cairngorms Habitat: most rear of the abdomen. Rarity: rare including slow moving water Females are a duller green Habitat: shallow pond or Seen: June to mid September with a pale brown abdomen. lochan edges sheltered by Males are bright blue, flying On dull days often rests on sedges fast and low over the water, vegetation near water Seen: late May to early often in large numbers and holding its wings half open. August can be distinguished by the The black and blue males fly club shaped black mark on slowly and weakly among abdomen segment 2 and the widely spaced aquatic blue upper segments 8 and 4M 5M 6

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9. Both males and females Dragonflies Powerful 7. Four-spotted Chaser have a single black stripe on flyers, more robust than Tot: 40 – 48mm the side of thorax. Females damselflies. Eyes nearly cover Range: Cairngorms-wide have more black, are much whole head, wings held open Rarity: common more drab than males at rest. Habitat: moorland bogs, and come in yellow, pale 6. Golden-ringed ditches and ponds green or brown forms. All Dragonfly Seen: May to August females have a spine below Tot: 74 – 85mm Territorial males are segment 8. Range: Cairngorms-wide extremely active and 5. Blue-tailed Damselfly Rarity: common aggressive, flying rapidly then returning repeatedly to the Tot: 30 – 34mm Habitat: patrolling burns but same perch. Of moderate Range: Cairngorms-wide also flying over moorland or size and likened to a flying Rarity: uncommon woodland rides cigar, both sexes have a Habitat: most wetlands Seen: June to mid September narrow, tapering dark brown Seen: May to early Sept One of Britain’s largest abdomen with yellow sides Commonly seen flying low dragonflies and readily and a black tip. The wings down among waterside approachable. The bright are characteristically marked vegetation but also far from yellow bands on a black with brown patches at the water. Males are dark, background make base and a smaller spot on almost metallic black with a identification simple. Males the middle of the leading bright blue band on segment have a very pinched waist wing edge. 8 on the rear of the and females have a pointed abdomen and a green or end to their abdomen for blue thorax. Females usually egg laying. have a dull brown band on segment 8 and brown/pale grey/pink thorax. 8M 9M 10M

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8. Azure Hawker 9. Common Hawker 10. Northern Emerald Tot: 54 – 64mm Tot: 65 – 80mm Tot: 45 – 51mm Range: a few Strathspey sites Range: Cairngorms-wide Range: a few Strathspey sites Rarity: rare Rarity: common Rarity: rare Habitat: boggy moorland, Habitat: most still waters Habitat: sphagnum bog pools open birch woodland and but also in woodland rides; with scattered cotton grass bog pools often active in the evening among open woods or Seen: late May to July Seen: July to September moors It is a sun loving dragonfly This large dragonfly is a fast Seen: early June to August with few recent sightings. and powerful flier, being It flies fast and straight at The very blue males are difficult to approach. Males height, is difficult to seen actively flying low and have paired blue and yellow approach. It is often seen fast over the edges of ponds. markings on the abdomen patrolling at about one Males have paired blue spots but appear very dark in metre above the water. This and no yellow unlike the flight. Females are usually is a medium sized very dark Common Hawker. Females dull yellow with a brown metallic green, almost black, have 2 colour variations, background or sometimes dragonfly with distinctive either yellow/beige or blue blue/green. This species has shining green eyes and a but no coloured stripes on a distinctive yellow edge to characteristic box shaped top of the thorax. its wings. thorax. Has more yellow on the thorax than other emerald dragonflies and males have a distinctive rear-end clasper. 11M 12M 13M

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11. 12. Black Darter 13. White-faced Darter Tot: 35 – 44mm Tot: 29 – 34mm Tot: 31 – 36mm Range: Cairngorms-wide Range: Cairngorms-wide Range: a few Strathspey sites Rarity: uncommon Rarity: common and in Habitat: ponds, lochs and Habitat: moorland pools and Deeside slow moving burns bogs with plenty of Rarity: rare Seen: July to mid September vegetation Habitat: bog pools A small, restless dragonfly Seen: mid July to September supporting floating and that regularly perches This small dragonfly has a submerged moss among bank side vegetation, short, erratic flight, perching Seen: mid May to mid July often returning to the same frequently among vegetation A small dragonfly that flies in spot. Males have a dark near water. Males have black an agitated, skittish manner. orange to red abdomen and abdomens with yellow It frequently hovers low the females have a yellowish markings on the side of the over water and will bask on to light brown abdomen. thorax, and paired red or bare soil or vegetation. It is Both have black markings on yellow spots on lower not easily approached. Males the side of the thorax and abdomen which can fade are dark almost black with underside of the abdomen, with age. Females and single red spots on the and black marks on immature males are yellow, abdomen and red on the segments 8 and 9. The females turning olive with thorax that fade with age. black legs have a distinctive age. Both have completely The characteristic white face yellow stripe. black legs while females have is very distinctive. Females a black triangle on top of and young males have yellow the thorax. and black markings on the abdomen and thorax.

Images of common hawker and golden ringed at approximately 0.75 times life size, others at approximately life size. Guide to dragonfly flight periods in the Cairngorms Weather is the major factor for early emergence and extended flight period

Common Name Latin Name Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Emerald Damselfly Large Red Damselfly nymphula Northern Damselfly hastulatum Common Blue Damselfly Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans Golden-ringed Dragonfly Cordulegaster boltonii Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata Azure Hawker caerulea Common Hawker Aeshna juncea Northern Emerald arctica Common Darter striolatum Black Darter White-faced Darter Leucorrhinia dubia

key flight period early/late flight period Dragonfly life-cycle Dragonflies and damselflies belong to the order of insects called (meaning toothed jaw). There are over 5,500 species worldwide and 42 species breed in Britain. Dragonflies were one of the first flying insects with fossil records dating back 350 million years.

The majority of a dragonfly’s life is spent in water during the larval stage, spending up to five years as larvae. Adult dragonflies emerge from water, leaving behind the spent larval shell or exuviae, and live only for a short period of 3-4 weeks. You can identify dragonflies by examining larvae but this is not covered in this publication.

Males and females mate in tandem forming a wheel position with the male clasping the female. Egg laying takes place after mating and in many cases the male will continue to hold onto or guard the female to prevent other males interfering. The female lays eggs directly into water or mud or vegetation depending upon the species.

Threats The main threats are habitat loss: drainage of wetlands, pollution, afforestation or conversion to agriculture, water abstraction and river engineering. Ponds filling in naturally and cold, wet summers are also factors. Climate change could potentially threaten the northern species, especially if drier summers lead to the drying out of bog pools. New species may also colonise such as the Azure Damselfly that is found in Perthshire. 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 • Binoculars and an net can be useful aids • Dragonflies are delicate creatures so handle them as little as possible • Ponds can be dangerous - do not enter the water, your own safety comes first • Be aware of water borne diseases and ticks • Be suitably equipped, wear appropriate footwear and clothing • Take a notebook and pen to record any sightings of dragonflies • A GPS is very useful for obtaining accurate locations • Care for your environment and take your litter home • Think climate change - where possible use public transport, walk or cycle • Remember dragonflies do not sting or bite

Good sites to see dragonflies in the Cairngorms

© Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Cairngorms National Park Authority, License # 100040965, 2004. © Scottish Government © SNH. Damselflies and dragonflies site information

Site Name How to get there Main interest OS grid reference and other location details More information 1 Glenmulliach Forest, A939 from Grantown-on-Spey or Ballater Large red, emerald & common blue Glenmulliach car park and picnic site, ponds Glenlivet Ranger, Tomintoul damselflies; black darter adjacent to car park. NJ193167 01479 870070 2 Anagach Woods, Follow signs from the Square in Grantown to 12 species recorded including From the car park by golf course take the Highland Council Ranger Grantown-on-Spey woodland walks and Speyside Way northern damselfly, northern Green route to an area of bog woodland. 01479 873914 emerald & white faced darter NJ038272 3 Revack Highland Estate, B970 off the A95 near Grantown-on-Spey, All 5 damselflies including northern From the café walk down the exit road and Highland Council Ranger Grantown-on-Spey enter signposted gardens damselfly and 5 dragonfly species there are 2 ponds on the left. NJ033260 01479 873914 4 Abernethy NNR, From A95 off the B970 near Boat of Garten, All 13 species recorded on the RSPB Various ponds by trails in woods, use car park RSPB Abernethy Boat of Garten follow signs to the RSPB Osprey Centre Reserve including northern damselfly, at B970 Boat of Garten junction, or near Loch 01479 821409 azure hawker & white faced darter Garten. NH966192 5 Craigellachie NNR, B9152 off the A9 to Aviemore, follow signs 12 species including northern Follow the signs from Youth Hostel under A9 Reserves Manager, SNH Aviemore to Youth Hostel damselfly & white faced darter to the lochans. NH889122 01479 810477 6 Rothiemurchus, From Aviemore take the B970 to Inverdruie 12 species including northern Inverdruie car park or Loch an Eilein car park Rothiemurchus Ranger Aviemore damselfly, northern emerald & white is a 1km walk from Lochan Mor. NH898095 Service 01479 812329 faced darter 7 From Aviemore take the B970 towards 10 species including white Park at one of the sites beside Loch Morlich Forestry Commission Cairngorm Mountain faced darter and walk around the loch. NH959096 01479 861220 8 Marshes NNR, From A9, take exit to . Follow B970 3 species of damselfly and 6 species Park by the hides off the B970 east of the RSPB Reserve Office Kingussie south from village beyond Ruthven Barracks of dragonfly barracks and follow the Invertromie trail. 01540 661518 NN775998 9 Uath Lochans, Inshriach Take B970 from or Kingussie, and 10 species including Car parking at Uath Lochans, walk around the Forestry Commission turn on to the minor road near Insh House northern emerald board walks. NH835023 01479 861711 10 Morrone Birkwood, From the A93 at Braemar, take the Lin of 3 damselfly and 5 dragonfly species At the car park at the top of Chapel Brae, SNH Braemar Dee road then left at the Taste Cafe follow path to the reservoir. NO139908 01224 642863 11 Curling Pond, Ballater From A93 at Ballater, cross bridge over River 5 damselfly and 3 dragonfly species Opposite bridge where waymarked route Aberdeenshire Council Dee to B976 including northern damselfly starts, take the right-hand track (not marked) South Marr Ranger through the woods. NO373952 013398 85751 12 Cambus O’May Sign on the north side of the A93 between 3 damselfly and 2 dragonfly species From the Forestry Commission car park take Forestry Commission Ballater and Dinnet the West Lochan trail. NO403981 Ranger 01466 794161 13 Muir of Dinnet NNR From the A93 at Dinnet take the A97 north 5 damselfly and 5 dragonfly species Pools in Ordie & Black Moss next to the A97 Reserve Manager, SNH, toward Ordie; or turn off the A93 to the including northern damselfly & white (NJ454012) or the loch at Lochhead north of 01224 642863 B9119 faced darter the Visitor Centre (NJ434010) 14 Fairy Loch, Southwest of Aboyne, off the B976 road at 4 damselfly and 4 dragonfly species Park opposite the Braeloine Centre, cross the Glen Tanar Ranger Service the Bridge and Tower of Ess including northern damselfly river and follow the Fairy Loch trail. NO483961 013398 86072 15 Glen Prosen Take the B955 from Kirriemuir then the 4 damselfly and 2 dragonfly species The pond is next to the road 1km west from Angus Glens Ranger minor road to Glen Prosen the Dykehead Hotel. NO375607 Service 01575 550233 Get involved and help dragonflies You can contribute to the National Dragonfly Atlas Project which seeks to update our knowledge of British dragonfly and damselfly species. Recording is essential to help map the distribution of these amazing insects and to identify important areas for dragonflies. Volunteers are needed to record in one or more 10km squares – there are many squares in the Cairngorms that have no or few records. You can help fill in these gaps.

Contact Stephen Corcoran, Cairngorms Biodiversity Officer, to sign up to a 10km square in the Cairngorms area, 14 The Square, Grantown-on-Spey, PH26 3HG, [email protected], 01479 870 528.

Any record of a damselfly or dragonfly is useful so please record which species you saw, how many, and when and where you saw it. Records of egg laying and mating are particularly important and if possible a grid reference from an Ordnance Survey map. Send all records to Stephen Corcoran; or the Scottish Dragonfly Recorder, Pat Batty, Tel: 01546 605 316, E-mail: [email protected]; or the Local Biological Records Centre, www.nesbrec.org.uk.

For more information about dragonflies and information on local or national events, go to the British Dragonfly Society’s website: www.dragonflysoc.org.uk.

Head If you would like this leaflet in an alternative format please contact the Cairngorms National Park Authority on 01479 873 535.

This leaflet was funded by the Cairngorms Thorax National Park Authority. Thanks to members Abdominal of the British Dragonfly Society for their segment Abdomen help in putting together this leaflet. number 1 Photographs copyright of Nick Littlewood, Jonathan Willet, Audrey & Bob Turner, David Abdominal Clasper Kitching, Scottish Natural Heritage, Tim Caroen, segment number 10 Matthew Webster, Jonathan P Tyler, and Alan Nelson. Artwork by Justin Prigmore.