Macromia Scientific
  • Home
  • Emerald Damsels (Lestids)
    • Classification
    • Identification
    • Sea Club Rush
    • The Lestid Life
    • Balsa de Pinar
    • Chalcolestes
    • Sympecma
    • Lestes macrostigma
    • Southern Lestids >
      • Lestes barbarus >
        • UK Colonies
      • Lestes virens
    • Northern Lestids >
      • Lestes dryas >
        • Case Study 1 - L. dryas in the Weald
      • Lestes sponsa
    • Lestid References
  • Dragonflies round the world
    • Western Palearctic >
      • The Middle East
      • Iberia
      • UK
    • Afro-Tropical >
      • Cameroon
      • South Africa
    • Neo-Tropical >
      • Brazil
    • Nearctic >
      • Florida, USA
  • Dragonflies of Iberia
    • Topography and Climate
    • Exploring Iberia
    • Wetlands of Iberia
    • Where are we now?
  • The Euphyllopoda: their part in my downfall
  • Trip Reports
  • Publications
Picture
The winter damsels (genus: Sympecma) are members of  the only genus of damselflies that live as adults in the winter. Recent pictures have been posted on Facebook of specimens frozen to posts only to wake in the Spring feed and breed. There are two species in northern Europe neither of which breeds in UK; probably our damp wet winters don't suit it.

One species does occur in Spain (Sympecma fusca), even way down in the south where the winters are very mild. There are very no observations of winter activity; surely they must fly and feed or they would simply starve.

Another mystery - any observations gratefully received.

Proudly powered by Weebly