Paul Ashton – Page 5 – Yorkshire Dragonfly Group

2004 Skimmer Magazine

Posted on 30 April 2009 by Paul Ashton

Editorial
Lesser Emperor – Wintersett 9th August 2003
Breeding of Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator at Loversall Delph, Potteric Carr
Letters, Questions and Answers
Dragonfly life in a Moorland Pool
Observations of Southern Hawker
Don’tgive in when the sun doesn’t shine!
Wildlife of Lower Hopton, Mirfield
Dragonfly ~ a poem
Strange Common Darter
Bransholme Fishing Lake, Hull, East Yorkshire
Filey Dams Nature Reserve
First and Last dates for Odonata in Yorkshire 2003
Species List

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Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo

Posted on 26 April 2009 by Paul Ashton

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Length

45-49mm; Wingspan: Male 58mm; Female 63mm; Hindwing 24-36mm; Larva: 30-35mm

Male

Dark brown-black wings, with iridescent blue veins making the wings appear metallic cobalt blue. Extreme tips and bases may be paler, there is no pterostigma. Wings are broader than the similar Banded Demoiselle. Body is metallic blue-green. Immatures wings are browner.

Female

Dark brown iridescent wings with a white ‘false pterostigma’, larger on forewing than hindwing. Wings are browner than the similar Banded Demoiselle. Body is metallic green with a bronze tip to abdomen. Homeochrome, (male coloured females) are sometimes recorded.

Behavior

Territorial males perch on bankside vegetation. They will flick their wings open and shut, occasionally chasing off passing insects, often returning to same perch. Females only visit water for egg-laying or seeking a mate, both sexes frequently stray well away from water. Flies slowly with a butterfly like flight and frequently settles on bankside vegetation or trees.

Habitat

Restricted to faster running clear water, found only along streams and rivers, often acidic, with sand or gravel bottom. Mostly found along heathland or moorland streams, though can also occur in farmland and woodland, including well shaded streams. Prefers cooler water than Banded Demoiselle. As streams broaden this species gives way to Banded Demoiselle, where there may be a broad overlap. Occasional hybridisation may take place. Sensitive to waterway management (clearance of vegetation) and pollution.

Flight Period

Status

VC61 – Only finds its way into the Vice-county due to the new course of the River Hertford being cut south of the old North and East Riding County Boundary. In many places this is within metres of the boundary.
VC62 – Extremely localised to the south-eastern area of the North Yorkshire Moors.

Distribution Map

Locations

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Nosterfield Local Nature Reserve

Posted on 22 April 2009 by Paul Ashton

View Nosterfield LNR in a larger map

Habitat

A former sand and gravel quarry, owned and managed by the Lower Ure Conservation Trust since 1996. Primarily a wetland, grassland habitat, with four permanent bodies of water, the dragonfly population is continually expanding. To date, 16 species have been recorded, most recently Emerald Damselfly and Four-spotted Chaser. A permissive footpath from the main car park runs in one direction to West Tanfield village, and in the opposite direction towards Nosterfield village, from which it is possible to view the Silt Lagoons. Two hides overlook the Main Lake and a viewing screen overlooks the North Lake. In summer, the footpath is a favoured ‘sunning’ area for Black-tailed Skimmers and in the autumn is frequented by Migrant Hawkers and Common Darters.

Access

Access

Roadside bog on Wheeldale Moor at SE803970

More Information

OS Map from BING Maps