A fairly large damselfly that is quite prolific from the mid summer onwards on most New Forest ponds. Both males and females have striking metallic colouration.
Flight is restricted to fairly short, fluttery trips, in between regular perching.
Emeralds are nearly always found perched on dense water based reeds and vegetation in still bodies of water, where unlike other damselflies they rest with wings in a half open position.
Flight season is from the end of June until mid September.
locations
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Most large still bodies of water. Hatchet Small Pond (Hatchet Moor), Dunyeats Pond, Ramsdown Forest, Troublefield.
seasonal appearance
distinguishing features
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From late June to late August/div>
Males have a metallic green body, with a copperish hue, eyes are blue, and the final abdominal segment is also typically a pale blue colour. Females have a metallic green body with beige fringes. Both male and female can be distinguished from other Damselfly species as they perch with their wings at 45 degrees from their abdomen (sometimes referred to as 'Spread Wings'.
