Wildlife Watching with FAB.: Photos: Odonata

Photos: Odonata

On this page you can view some the species of Damselflies and Dragonflies that I have photographed from various sites within Surrey, UK (2011 - 2018).

ZYGOPTERA - Damselflies These are generally slender bodied with a weak fluttering flight and most species characteristically hold their wings closed in line with their body when a rest.

CALOPTERYGIDAE - Demoiselles.

These are large damselflies with a distinctive metallic green-blue body and in both species the males have blue pigment in the wings.They are mainly restricted to flowing water localities.

Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo)

Beautiful Demoiselle [female] (Calopteryx virgo)

Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens)

LESTIDAE - Emerald Damselflies. These are medium sized, metallic green damsels.

Emerald (Lestes sponsa) - Immature female.

Emerald (Lestes sponsa) - Female.

Emerald (Lestes sponsa) - Male.

PLATYCNEMIDIDAE - White-legged Damselflies.

White-legged (Platycnemis pennipes) - immature (f. lactea phase).

White-legged Damselfly.

White-legged (Platycnemis pennipes) - mature male

White-legged (Platycnemis pennipes) - Mating pair

COENAGRIONIDAE - Red and Blue Damselflies. They can be found in a wide range of habitats.

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) [teneral male]

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula).

Small Red (Ceriagrion tenellum).

Small Red (Ceriagrion tenellum) - Mating pair

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella)

Immature male Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella) changing from pale-mauve to blue.

Common Blue (Enallagma cyathigerum) - Male.

A female (blue form) Common Blue Damselfly

A female (drab form) Common Blue Damselfly.

Blue-tailed (Ischnura elegans) - 'Mating Wheel'.

Blue-tailed (Ischnura elegans) - Immature female probably form violacea.

ANISOPTERA - Dragonflies

This sub order of the Odonata comprises small to large dragonflies with strong, powerful flight. All species hold their wings open when at rest.

CORDULEGASTRIDAE - Golden-Ringed Dragonflies. Just one resident species 'Cordulegaster' that is usually seen on or near upland and heathland streams.

Golden-ringed (Cordulegaster boltonii).

CORDULIDAE - Emerald Dragonflies. This genera includes Cordulia and Somatochlora. Medium sized metallic green dragonflies with a restless flight which usually breed in standing water close to woodland.

Downy Emerald (Cordulia aenea).

AESHNIDAE - Hawker Dragonflies. This genera includes Aeshna, Anax and Brachytron.

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta)

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea)

Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis)

Emperor [Male] (Anax imperator)

Emperor [Male] (Anax imperator).

Emperor [Female] Ovipositing

LIBELLULIDAE - Chasers, Skimmers And Darters.

The genera includes Libellula, Orthetrum, Sympetrum and Leucorrhinia and they are small to medium sized blue, red or yellow dragonflies. They can be found in the full range of aquatic habitats, except fast-flowing streams and often forage well away from their preferred breeding location. They have a darting flight and frequently perch (rather than hang) among marginal vegetation.