Red-eyed Damselflies.....but still no sign of small ones!

David Williams has been out and about at Dudmaston enjoying large numbers of Red-eyed Damselflies on Brim Pool. Though some looked more delicate than others there were no Small Red-eyed recorded.

 

 

These pictures of a male show a small cluster of mites underneath the thorax. Specimens can be seen with far larger numbers attached. The mites are typically 'picked up' during the later larval stages and they transfer to the adult on emergence. They feed on the damselfly's body fluid (haemolymph) and once mature will fall back in to the water.

 

David also saw a good number of Blue-tailed Damselflies and Common Blue Damselflies at Wall and Seggy Pools, along with a number of Ruddy Darters- captured beautifully below: