I used to study Macromia splendens but as old age creeps on I need a more sedentary animal. What better than Emerald damsels (family Lestidae). No furtive zipping through the vegetation, the males just sit displaying for the old man (Lestes dryas shown here). Hard to identify? They can be but that's part of the attraction. On the down side, whilst Macromia breeds in beautiful rivers in romantic and picturesque river valleys, Lestids are more likely to be found in lowland estuaries and tedious plateaus pitted with seasonal ponds. For me this is not a problem but my darling wife/ life support system no longer accompanies me on my trips to Lestid parts.
The extent of my studies is European Lestids. Reinhard Jodicke (Jodicke 1997) produced a wonderful detailed book about the European species covering all the matters dealt with in this website and much more. Its only problem is that is in German. Google translate can only get you so far so this is a probably inadequate attempt to provide some of that knowledge to field observers. I do put some stuff on instagram #Lestidman.
The European fauna comprises (UK species emboldened):
The extent of my studies is European Lestids. Reinhard Jodicke (Jodicke 1997) produced a wonderful detailed book about the European species covering all the matters dealt with in this website and much more. Its only problem is that is in German. Google translate can only get you so far so this is a probably inadequate attempt to provide some of that knowledge to field observers. I do put some stuff on instagram #Lestidman.
The European fauna comprises (UK species emboldened):
- Eastern Willow Emerald (Chalcolestes parvidens)
- Willow Emerald (Chalcolestes viridis) - South East England expanding its range
- Southern Emerald (Lestes barbarus) - recent arrival breeds on Kent Coast and Thames Estuary??
- Scarce Emerald (Lestes dryas) - Local Eastern England, Thames Estuary. Ireland
- Dark Emerald (Lestes macrostigma)
- Common Emerald (Lestes sponsa) - Generally in UK
- Northern Small Emerald (Lestes virens vestalis)
- Southern Small Emerald (Lestes virens virens)
- Late Emerald (Lestes numidicus)
- Winter Damsel (Sympecma fusca) 1 UK Record
- Eastern Winter Damsel (Sympecma paedisca)
Names - vernacular or scientific??
Emerald damsels have a confusing array of vernacular names, in some books they are called Spreadwings which I think is rather vulgar and there are other damsel families that hold their wings open. The Willow Emerald sometimes lays its eggs on willow but not exclusively. The Small Emerald, is similar in size to Common Emerald.Scarce Emerald is certainly commoner locally than Common. I could go on.
To avoid confusion I use only scientific names from here on in.
How this set of pages works
Each species has its own sub page but have a look at the two general pages first. The views here are all mine and if you want to discuss them just get in touch.
Emerald damsels have a confusing array of vernacular names, in some books they are called Spreadwings which I think is rather vulgar and there are other damsel families that hold their wings open. The Willow Emerald sometimes lays its eggs on willow but not exclusively. The Small Emerald, is similar in size to Common Emerald.Scarce Emerald is certainly commoner locally than Common. I could go on.
To avoid confusion I use only scientific names from here on in.
How this set of pages works
Each species has its own sub page but have a look at the two general pages first. The views here are all mine and if you want to discuss them just get in touch.