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Home , Aeshna, Azure damselfly, Brown Hawker, Common blue, Common darter, Common hawker

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. and www.naturalengland.org.uk © Natural England 2007 in your garden ISBN 978-1-84754-015-7

Catalogue code NE21

Written by Caroline Daguet

Designed by RR Donnelley

Front cover photograph: A male . This species is the one most commonly seen in gardens. Steve Cham. www.naturalengland.org.uk Dragonflies and damselflies in your garden

Dragonflies and damselflies are Modern dragonflies are tiny by amazing . They have a long comparison, but are still large and history and modern species are almost spectacular enough to capture the identical to ancestors that flew over attention of anyone walking along a prehistoric forests some 300 million river bank or enjoying a sunny years ago. Some of these ancient afternoon by the garden pond. dragonflies were giants, with This booklet will tell you about the wingspans of up to 70 cm. biology and life-cycles of dragonflies and damselflies, help you to identify some common species, and tell you how you can encourage these insects to visit your garden. Male common blue . Most damselflies hold their wings against their bodies when at rest. BDS

Dragonflies and damselflies belong to Dragonflies the order known as , Dragonflies are usually larger than meaning ‘toothed jaws’. They are often damselflies. They are stronger fliers and referred to collectively as ‘dragonflies’, can often be found well away from but dragonflies and damselflies are two water. When at rest, they hold their distinct groups. wings open, rather like an aeroplane. Male blue-tailed damselfly. Tim Beynon. Damselflies The hindwings are usually shorter and wider than the forewings. They have Despite their name – and some legends Damselflies are small, delicate-looking large – occupying most of the – dragonflies are quite incapable of insects with a weak flight. They often head – that are very close to one hurting humans. Neither do they stay close to water. When at rest, most another, often touching. deserve their nickname ‘horse stinger’. species hold their wings closed along Some people have seen grazing horses their body (an exception is the emerald apparently shying away from hawker damselfly which holds its wings half dragonflies and assumed the open). All four wings have the same Top: Male brown hawker dragonfly. BDS/I. Hulme dragonflies have stung them – in reality, size and shape. The eyes are always Bottom: Male dragonfly. the dragonflies are hunting the biting separated, never touching, and BDS/J. Stevens flies that are bothering the horses. positioned on either side of the head. Dragonflies or damselflies? 2 3 The four-spotted chaser dragonfly. Dragonflies keep their wings open when at rest. BDS/I. Hulme

Identification Above: Female of the same species. BDS/J. Stevens Bottom: Male emerald damselfly. Unusually, this species holds its wings half open when at rest. Dragonflies and damselflies are Steve Cham creatures of the sun. In England, they may be seen on any warm day between April and October, but most commonly at the height of summer. The distinctive colours of the adults make it relatively easy to tell one species from another and they are quite riveting to watch. (One point of caution – the colours of dragonflies and damselflies change as Male (top) and female (above) banded demoiselles they mature, see ‘Colour changes’ page damselflies: note the dark patch on the male’s wings. Steve Cham (both photographs) 18.) Below: Male . Steve Cham The charts on the following pages list those species most likely to be seen in English gardens, though unusual weather patterns may occasionally bring in some unexpected exotic species.

4 5 Top: Female emerald damselfly. John Mason Left: Male red-eyed damselfly. Steve Cham

Opposite page left: Male . BDS/J. Stevens. Opposite page right: Blue-tailed damselflies mating. BDS/I. Hulme 6 7 Left: Mature male broad-bodied chaser dragonfly with powdery blue colouration. BDS/J. Stevens Right: Female of the same species with yellow-brown colouration. BDS/I. Hulme.

Above: Female dragonfly. David Goddard Right: Male ruddy darter dragonfly. Bill Furse

The charts on the following pages list those species most likely to be seen in English gardens, though unusual weather patterns may occasionally bring in some unexpected exotic species. Bottom: Male emperor dragonfly. BDS/J. Stevens 8 9 Garden likelihood: 1 rare Colours, markings and key identification features 2 uncommon of flying adults (M: males. F: females). Wings are Size Flying 3 possible Damselflies transparent unless otherwise stated. (adult length) season UK distribution Preferred habitats 4 likely

Banded demoiselle M: metallic blue-green body with distinctive large blue 41–45 mm Mid-May to Lowlands of England, Slow-flowing rivers and 2 (if garden is near a patch on wings. F: metallic green body, green tinge to early Sep. and . canals. suitable river or splendens wings. canal.)

Emerald damselfly Keeps wings half open when at rest. Both M and F 36–38 mm Late Jun to Throughout the British Ponds, ditches, canals, lake 2 (often depending sponsa have metallic green body. M: powdery blue colour at end Sep. Isles. margins and acid bogs, all on density of plants top and tip of abdomen. with plenty of emergent in and around a vegetation. garden pond.)

Large red Mainly red, with black markings at the end of 35–36 mm Mid-Apr to Widespread Ponds, canals, ditches and 4 damselfly abdomen. late Aug/ throughout the British bogs. early Sep. Isles.

Azure damselfly M: blue, with thin black segments, black u-shape on 33 mm Mid-May to Widespread in Small sheltered pond and lake 4 puella 2nd segment of abdomen. F: black and green, with late Aug/ England, Wales; margins. narrow green stripes on thorax. early Sep. lowlands of south & central .

Common blue M: bright blue, with thin black segments, black oval or 32 mm Mid-May to Widespread Wide variety of habitats 3/4 (may avoid damselfly mushroom shape on 2nd segment of abdomen. F: late Sep. throughout the British including ponds, lakes, gravel smaller ponds.) Coenagrion puella black and either blue or dull green, with wide stripes Isles. pits, slow-flowing rivers and on thorax. canals.

Blue-tailed M: black abdomen with blue ‘tail’ (8th segment). F: 31–32 mm May to Sep. Widespread Wide range of still and 4 (may be one of the damselfly black abdomen with blue or brown ‘tail’. throughout the British flowing waters. first species to elegans Isles (except Scottish colonise new ponds). Highlands).

Red-eyed M: red eyes, dark abdomen with blue tip. F: eyes 33–35 mm Mid-May to Southern England and Usually larger ponds with 2 (likelihood is damselfly brown-red and black abdomen with no blue ‘tail’. Aug. Welsh border. abundant floating-leaved increased if water najas plants. lilies are present.) 10 11 Garden likelihood: 1 rare Colours, markings and key identification features 2 uncommon of flying adults (M: males. F: females). Wings are Size Flying 3 possible Dragonflies transparent unless otherwise stated. (adult length) season UK distribution Preferred habitats 4 likely

Common hawker M: dark, with paired yellow & blue dots along 71–74 mm Early Jul to Western and Wide range of standing 1 juncea abdomen. F: brown with paired yellow dots. early Oct. northern Britain. waters, from small moorland pools to lakes.

Migrant hawker Small yellow triangle at top of abdomen. M: fairly dark 63–65 mm Late Jul to Southern Britain Ponds, lakes, gravel pits, 1/2 Aeshna mixta brown, with small, blue, paired dots along abdomen. F: (small hawker) Oct. (spreading canals and slow-flowing brown, with dull yellowy-green spots. northwards) rivers.

Southern hawker M: blackish, marked bright green, with blue at tip of 70–73 mm Jul to Oct. Lowlands of Woodland and garden ponds, 3/4 (increased Lestes sponsa abdomen. F: chocolate brown with green/yellow England & Wales. lakes, canals. Lays eggs on old likelihood if shrubs/ markings. logs by the margins of ponds. hedge in garden)

Brown hawker Large brown species with -brown wings. M: blue 73–74 mm Late Jun to Lowland Britain & Large garden and park ponds, 2/3 Aeshna grandis dots along side of abdomen. early Oct. Ireland. lakes, canals, gravel pits, slow-flowing rivers.

Emperor M: green thorax and bright blue abdomen. F: all green. 76–78 mm Late May to Southern England & Well-vegetated ponds, lakes, 3 imperator Both sexes have dark line running along top of early Sep. Wales (spreading ditches and canals. abdomen. northwards).

vFour-spotted Medium-size brown species, with black-tipped √43–47 mm Late May to Widespread Wide range of acidic 3/4 chaser abdomen; dark spot on middle of front edge of each of mid Aug. around UK (except standing waters, also some Libellula the four wings; small dark patch at base of hindwings. N-E England). canals and slow-flowing quadrimaculata waters.

Broad-bodied M: broad blue abdomen with yellow spots along sides. 44–46 mm May to end Southern England Ponds, small lakes and 3/4 chaser F: broad yellow to yellow-brown abdomen. Both sexes Jul. & Wales. ditches. Libellula depressa have dark patches at base of wings.

Common darter M: orange-red abdomen. Young and F: yellowish to 37–41 mm Mid-Jun to Much of UK, except Wide range of habitats 4 light brown abdomen. late Oct. Scottish Highlands. including ponds, lakes, striolatum ditches and rivers.

Ruddy darter M: blood-red abdomen with clear slim ‘waist’. F: dull 34 mm Late Jun to Southern Ireland & Well-vegetated ponds, lakes, 2 (more likely on Sympetrum yellow-brown, with thin black lines along sides of early Oct. Wales; S-E England canals, ditches; also rivers densely vegetated sanguineum abdomen. up to Midlands. near woodland. ponds).

12 13 Dragonfly biology and behaviour

Life-cycle and reproduction Most of a dragonfly’s or damselfly’s life – perhaps as much as 95 per cent of it – is spent in the water. The eggs, which are usually laid underwater, develop into larvae, free moving, water-dwelling nymphs, from which the flying adult insects eventually emerge. The whole process may be completed within six

Small red-eyed damselfly larva. Damselfly larvae have three leaf-like appendages at the end of the body. Steve Cham

bred there. Watching the transformation of a dowdy, aquatic larva to a glistening, splendid, airborne adult is an extraordinary experience. Emperor dragonfly larva. The spines at the end of the body are typical of dragonfly larvae. Steve Once the young adults have matured Cham and gained their full colours – process which may take a couple of weeks – the months, but for most species takes one male and female are ready to breed. or two years. In contrast to the larvae, Males use claspers at the end of their the adults are generally short-lived. bodies to grab a female, and the couples While in the water, the larvae undergo fly in tandem while they mate. After a series of moults as they grow. Once a mating, the female lays her eggs, either larva is ready to become an adult, it alone or while still in tandem with the leaves the water by crawling up a plant male. The females of some species stem or twig and then undergoes its deposit eggs directly into the water, final moult – the skin of the larva while others insert individual eggs into splitting to release the winged adult. leaves, stalks or pieces of rotting wood You may find these discarded skin which may be floating on the water casts, called ‘exuviae’, on vegetation by surface. Depending on the species, the the edge of your pond: clear evidence eggs hatch after few weeks or months. that dragonflies and damselflies have Small damselflies live only for a couple A dragonfly emerges from its larval skin. BDS 14 15 of weeks as flying adults. In Britain, or . Dragonflies and Dragonflies and water larger dragonflies can fly for three or damselflies are unable to hunt in poor After transforming from an underwater four weeks but seldom for longer than weather and large numbers simply to flying adult – but before two months. Many die from accidents starve at these times. becoming sexually mature – young adults may spend a week or more away from the water. During this period, the larger dragonfly species can travel several kilometres away to feed on flying insects. This is the reason you

Female azure damselfly laying eggs while in tandem with a male. BDS/I. Tew

might see dragonflies in your garden even if you don’t have a pond nearby.

Dragonflies as predators Female southern hawker dragonfly laying eggs in decaying wood. Steve Cham Dragonfly and damselfly larvae will eat almost any creature that is smaller than they are. Prey may include bloodworms, snails, water fleas, tadpoles and the larvae of mosquitoes

Newly emerged four-spotted chaser dragonfly or other aquatic insects. The larvae of next to its larval skin. BDS/I. Hulme larger dragonflies may also catch and eat small fish.

Larvae are mostly ambush predators, hiding in wait until prey come close enough to pounce on. They have a unique extendible lower jaw, called a mask, which they can extend with lightning speed to impale their prey with sharp, hook-like mandibles.

Male azure damselfly with prey. Steve Cham. Mating common blue damselflies (female below). BDS/I. Tew. 16 17 Dragonflies as prey

Among the species that catch and eat adult dragonflies and damselflies are birds (such as wagtails and hobbies), , frogs; and larger species of dragonflies. However, dragonflies and A young large red damselfly yet to develop its damselflies are not helpless, their adult colours. BDS/I. Tew excellent eyesight and flying skills help Some damselflies, like the blue-tailed Male common darter dragonfly with orange-red protect them from capture, while the species, undergo a gradual colour change Male common blue damselfly with prey. Steve warning colours of some species – body. David Goddard. Cham as they mature. The females of these black and yellow, or black and red – species have several different colour As adults, dragonflies and damselflies deter some bird predators. forms, with some changing from violet are big eaters and may consume 20 per to blue or rich brown, and others from cent of their bodyweight in food each salmon-pink to yellowish-brown. Some day. They eat other flying insects, of the larger dragonflies also change particularly flies, midges and colour as they age. For example, the mosquitoes – making them very useful common darter dragonfly goes from creatures to have around the garden! yellow brown to reddish brown, and the Young male broad-bodied chaser dragonfly The larger species will also take black-tailed skimmer dragonfly goes developing a blue colouration. Steve Cham , moths and even smaller from yellow-brown to blue-grey. dragonflies or damselflies. Sometimes, older females may start to Adults use their impressive eyesight to A young azure damselfly in a ’s web. BDS/A. develop the coloration of the males. detect prey. In flight, they hold their Welstead bristly legs in a basket shape to scoop up In the larval stage, dragonflies and and then firmly grasp their targets before damselflies are preyed on by fish, frogs, eating their catch, often in mid-air. toads and newts, as well as other aquatic invertebrates such as water scorpions and beetle larvae.

Colour changes

When dragonflies and damselflies first emerge from the water, most have very muted colours. It can take several days before they gain their brilliant adult appearance. Common blue damselflies, for example, are often a pale pinkish- The young male black-tailed skimmer dragonfly third from the top above (BDS/I. Hulme) will A southern hawker dragonfly nymph uses its brown rather than sky-blue when they Female common darter dragonfly with yellowish eventually resemble the mature adult pictured ‘mask’ to catch a stickleback. Steve Cham first appear as adults. body. BDS/I. Tew above (BDS) 18 19 for the more common species. There may now be more than one million ponds in British gardens and the number is growing rapidly. Taken as a whole, these areas of water now make a significant additional habitat for many wetland species. It is thanks to garden ponds that dragonfly species such the emperor, southern hawker and common darter now occur even in the centres of big cities.

Attracting dragonflies to your pond

Your pond should have clean, unpolluted water and shallow margins. It needs to be in a sunny location and sheltered as far as possible from strong winds. Rotting logs placed by the edge of a pond may attract the southern Male southern hawker dragonfly. Note the two characteristic broad yellow bands behind the head. Steve Cham. hawker dragonfly as it uses these as places to lay its eggs. The aquatic Quick movers! Garden ponds and dragonflies vegetation in your pond should be varied and include a mixture of The larval skin of a hawker dragonfly. Although garden ponds cannot Dragonflies can out-fly almost all other submerged plants (such as pondweeds BDS/J.Silsby. compensate for the loss of wetland insects. The maximum speed of large and crowfoots) and floating-leaved habitats, they are still of great value for species like the hawkers is about 30 plants (such as water-lilies and frogbit). damselflies can shelter from rain, high dragonflies and damselflies, especially km/h (20 mph). Their average cruising Around the pond margins, brooklime winds and predators. speed is probably about 16 km/h (10 and water forget-me-not are useful, as For more detailed information on mph). Small dragonfly species and are taller emergent plants such as damselflies are much slower. creating a pond, consult the Natural flowering rush and water mint. Ideally, England booklet Garden ponds and Some species are capable of covering all your pond plants should be native boggy areas, see ‘Contacts’ page ??. large distances and some exotic visitors species. come from very far afield. If you live in The plants around your pond are Things to avoid southern England you might see equally important. Areas of short and Water pollution. Many chemical dragonflies that have come from long grass close to the pond will be southern or even North Africa. sprays used in the garden can be used as mating and feeding grounds, very harmful. Avoid even small while nearby shrubs and trees are Well-vegetated ponds are ideal for dragonflies, quantities reaching your pond especially those with nearby cover to provide roosts where dragonflies and through wind drift. shelter from high winds. Dr Steve Head. 20 21 Water enrichment. Tap water often completely and making them contains high levels of nutrients unsuitable for almost any wildlife. which can encourage unwanted algal Fish. These are often found in formal growth in your pond water. For the ponds and they are not very wildlife- same reason, take care not to allow friendly. Fish are the main predators lawn fertilisers run off into your of dragonfly and damselfly nymphs. pond. If possible, collect rainwater They pose such a threat, that some and use that to top up your pond. dragonfly species have adapted to Shading. Too much shading will live in the acidic waters of heathland inhibit the plants growing in and and peatland bogs, where fish around your pond. Also, many pond cannot survive. Dragonflies and creatures – especially insects – do damselflies may co-exist with fish, best when the water is warmed by but only in larger ponds that have a the sun. complex underwater ‘architecture’ of vegetation in which the nymphs can Pond cleaning. Although ponds do hide. need to be cleaned occasionally – to Even small garden ponds can be visited by several dragonfly species. Ian Johnson remove excess plant growth or dead Water contaminated in this way is leaves – doing too much at once is unsuitable not just for dragonflies bad for . Dragonfly and and damselflies but for many other damselfly larvae often live in and invertebrates and plants. amongst water weeds and pond debris, so only clear small sections of Dragonfly conservation your pond at a time. Once taken from the water, vegetation and Since 1960, three species of dragonflies debris should be left on the pond in Britain and Ireland have become margin for 24 hours to give trapped extinct. There are now just 39 breeding creatures a chance to return to the Common darter dragonflies mating. BDS/A. species of dragonflies and damselflies, Radford water. Emperor dragonfly: the shiny wings indicate this is one of which is confined to Ireland. a very young adult. BDS/R. Perchard Although some species are extending Introductions. Dragonflies will find quality. Larvae are very sensitive to their range, at least one third of all our their own way to your pond if the pollution so the presence or absence of Waterbirds. These will prey on dragonflies and damselflies are rare conditions there are right. Taking key species helps us monitor the health emerging adults and can also and localised. We need to do everything eggs or larvae from another pond to of aquatic – ecosystems damage vegetation, either through possible to prevent any further loss of put in yours is not a good idea as that humans rely on as much as any trampling, grazing or nesting. In these magnificent creatures. your pond may be unsuitable. You other creature. addition, excessive droppings from could also bring in tiny fragments of aquatic birds can add nutrients to Apart from their beauty and As a gardener you can help conserve invasive alien plants. There are the water, encouraging the growth of importance to wetland ecosystems, dragonflies and damselflies. Besides several alien species that can rapidly unwanted algae and/or bacteria dragonflies and damselflies are also providing a suitable pond (or two!) you colonise ponds, choking them (which use up oxygen in the water). very valuable indicators of water can stop buying peat-based compost. 22 23 of water bodies by trees, or their choking with silt and plants.

Climate change: this may be affecting some species adversely.

Legal protection

Two species of dragonfly are protected by law: the Norfolk hawker and the southern damselfly. It is illegal to kill either of these species. Neither is very likely to occur in gardens. Male dragonfly. BDS I. Hulme Recording dragonflies This is one practical step towards halting the loss of peat bogs, which are The Dragonfly Recording Network home to many of our rarer insect (DRN) welcomes all dragonfly species. sightings, including those from garden ponds. These are very useful in Threats to dragonflies tracking the arrival of new species and the spread of established species. Even Loss of habitat, from development the absence of species from gardens and changes in land management. can be important as it might be an Pollution: including run-off from early sign of changes in their fertilisers used in agriculture, wind distribution. DRN local recorders drift from insecticides and the use of would be delighted to hear from you. herbicides on marginal vegetation.

Drainage and artificial fluctuations in A pair of ruddy darter dragonflies flying in tandem. BDS/J. Stevens water levels.

Overstocking of ponds with fish Their details are available via the British Dragonflies should not be killed and/or ducks, geese and other water Dragonfly Society (see ‘Contacts’ page without a justifiable and useful birds. 26). purpose. Lack of appropriate management: Live dragonflies should be held Code of Practice including the drastic modification of captive only for good reasons. water bodies (for example, river The British Dragonfly Society has It is hoped that everyone reading this straightening) or their surroundings; produced a code of practice for its leaflet will follow these principles. and in some cases a lack of members. The code contains two management resulting in the shading Female migrant hawker dragonfly. David Goddard important principles:

24 25 Contacts conservation of dragonflies and their contact the Natural England Enquiry Learning about dragonflies (education habitats in the United Kingdom. Service on 0845 600 3078 or e-mail pack for teachers of 7–11yr olds) Natural England [email protected] 1 East Parade The Dragonfly Project A dragonfly’s world. (60 slide pack and Natural England also produces Sheffield, S1 2ET www.dragonflyproject.org.uk lecture notes) Gardening with wildlife in mind an Enquiry Service: 0845 600 3078 illustrated wildlife reference. Originally [email protected] The Dragonfly Project is a on CD but now also available on-line, www.naturalengland.org.uk Cambridgeshire-based charity running Gardening with wildlife in mind has dragonfly safaris and education detailed information on 800 plants British Dragonfly Society courses. and species often found in our 23 Bowker Way gardens, and shows how they are Whittlesey ecologically linked. See Peterborough, PE7 1PY Further information www.plantpress.com www.dragonflysoc.org.uk This is one of a range of wildlife gardening booklets published by Other titles The British Dragonfly Society aims to Natural England. For more details, promote and encourage the study and Brooks, S. and Askew, R. A guide to the dragonflies and damselflies of Britain. Field Studies Council. (Pull-out chart). 1999.

Brooks, S. and Lewington, R. Field guide to the dragonflies and damselflies of . British Wildlife Publishing. 2002.

Lucas, J. Spinning Jenny & Devil’s Darning Needle. J. Lucas. 2002.

Smallshire, D. and Swash, A. Britain’s dragonflies. WILDGuides. 2004.

British Dragonfly Society publications and teaching aids:

Dig a pond for dragonflies

Managing habitats for dragonflies

A mating pair of brown hawker dragonflies. Tim Beynon

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