Willow Emerald Damselfly ♂ Chalcolestes viridis
Not long ago, the Willow Emerald Damselfly had only been reliably recorded in the UK on 2 occasions, in 1979 and 1992. A single individual was then recorded in south-east Suffolk during 2007, followed in 2009 by a sudden boom of 400 records of the species from this same general area. Since this time, the Willow Emerald has spread rapidly across the south-east of England, gaining footholds in new counties on a yearly basis. The natural colonisation and spread of this damselfly in the UK is incredible.
Willow Emerald Damselfly females lay eggs into the bark of trees; these eggs overwinter and then with the coming of spring they hatch and the larva falls into the water below.
This was my first sighting of a Willow Emerald Damselfly, seen clinging for life on a Sallow twig in 40mph gusts of wind in Suffolk. My thanks to Sue Gough, a talented guide for Naturetrek, who told me where to look.
Willow Emerald Damselfly ♂ Chalcolestes viridis
Not long ago, the Willow Emerald Damselfly had only been reliably recorded in the UK on 2 occasions, in 1979 and 1992. A single individual was then recorded in south-east Suffolk during 2007, followed in 2009 by a sudden boom of 400 records of the species from this same general area. Since this time, the Willow Emerald has spread rapidly across the south-east of England, gaining footholds in new counties on a yearly basis. The natural colonisation and spread of this damselfly in the UK is incredible.
Willow Emerald Damselfly females lay eggs into the bark of trees; these eggs overwinter and then with the coming of spring they hatch and the larva falls into the water below.
This was my first sighting of a Willow Emerald Damselfly, seen clinging for life on a Sallow twig in 40mph gusts of wind in Suffolk. My thanks to Sue Gough, a talented guide for Naturetrek, who told me where to look.