Pyrrhosoma nymphula (Sulzer, 1776) Large Red Damsel.
Body length 33mm to 36mm.
Family: Coenagrionidae
flight season…One of the earliest species in Northern Europe, April to August. (till September, further South).
Range and status…The Large Red Damselfly are one of the most common of damselflies, widespread over most of Europe, as far north, along coastal regions of Norway. As far south, into the southern regions of Spain and far east, into Russia.
Habitat…Wide range of waters, preferring well-vegetated standing water, (can tolerate slightly polluted and brackish water) various size ponds, lakes and dykes, small rivers and streams particularly abundant with vegetation. Tends to avoid fast running waters, can occasionally be found resting on vegetation well away from water.
Mature females have three different forms of colour, these are named as “typica”, “melanotum” and “fulvipes” The most common female colour form is “typica,” which have black bands on most segments of her abdomen. “Melanotum” is a dark form, mainly black with antehumeral stripes that stay yellow. The “Fulvipes” female form, closely resembles the male’s colouration.
Males are on the wing slightly earlier than female damselflies, when they connect with a female, copulation lasts for up to 20mins. The female will then proceed to lay her fertilised eggs by dipping her abdomen into the water, taking the male damselfly with her. Eggs will hatch in two to three weeks; larvae take up to two years to develop. The larvae first feed on a variety of small aquatic insect larvae and crustaceans, as they grow larger, so does their aquatic prey.
Immature adults, mature in about two weeks.
Adults feed on a wide range of flying and non-flying insects, including spiders.
Complete “Life Cycle” is around two years.