Large Red Damselfly
Pyrrhosoma nymphula
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Large Red Damselfly Female © David Kitching -
Large Red Damselfly Larva © Neil Philips -
Large Red Damselfly Mature Male © David Kitching -
Large Red Damselfly Female © David Kitching
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Description
Length: 33-36mm
Flight period: March to September
Both sexes with black legs and wing spots.
Male: Red abdomen with bronze-black markings. Thorax black with red shoulder stripes (yellow when immature)
Female: three clour forms from mostly red to mostly black. Some colour forms have red shoulder stripes, some have yellow.
Habitat
Most wetland habitats but avoids fast flowing water.
Status & Distribution
Common and widespread
Larval Information
A robust larva with a distinctive black X on the caudal lamellae
Similar species
The Small Red Damselfly is similar but has red legs and wing spots.
Threats
N/A
Management
N/A