Description

Dark metallic green Damselfly with pale wing spots.

Male: very long abdomen with pale anal appendages with black tips.

Female: dark ovipositor.

Egg laying sites: females oviposit in the bark of tree branches near the water edge; appear as paired dimples in the bark surface.

 

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Species GroupDamselflies
Scientific NameChalcolestes viridis
Status & Distribution

Recent colonist; first recorded in significant numbers in East Anglia in 2009. Since then it has rapidly expanded its range and can now be found as far north as North Yorkshire and as far west as Warwickshire.

Habitat

Usually near ponds, canals or other still water with overhanging trees. Willow Emerald Damselfly has a characteristic habit of spending much time up in the trees. The eggs are laid into the bark of willow or alder.

Flight PeriodWillow Emerald Damselfly
Adult Identification
  • Length: Male: 42-47mm; Female: 39-44mm
  • Metallic green
  • Pale pterostigma (wing spots) outlined in black.
  • Green spur on the side of the thorax.
  • Male: very long abdomen with pale anal appendages with black tips.
  • Female: dark ovipositor.
Larval Information

Lestes larvae have a long abdomen and large caudal lamellae.

Mask is not long and racket shaped like in other Lestes species.

 

 

Similar Species

May be confused with other emerald damselfly species.

Willow Emerald Damselflies can be distinguished by:

  • Large, pale pterostigma (wing spots).
  • Prominent green spur on the side of the thorax.
  • No blue colouration.