Lestes barbarus - Southern Emerald Damselfly
Male
Female
Exuvia (male, side view)
Description
Length: 40-45mm
This damselfly is metallic green, becoming bronze as it ages.
It has relatively broad, pale ante-humeral stripes on the thorax.
At rest, the Southern Emerald spreads its wings at a wide angle to the body.
The pterostigma is bi-coloured.
Habitat
Still waters, will tolerate brackish conditions so could be found near the coast.
Status and Distribution
Migrant/Vagrant from Northern Europe, possibly the Netherlands where it has increased recently.
First observed in July 2002 in Norfolk.
Also in the Channel Islands since 1995.
Distribution map from the National Biodiversity Network Gateway (opens in new window).
Similar species
Other members of the Lestes genus are quite similar but L. sponsa is by far the most likely to be found in the UK.