During my last few visits to Grove Ferry with the net, I have managed to come across a couple of Large Red Damselfly nymphs which are the first I have seen in this part of the reserve. It will be interesting to see how many others are in the area and hopefully, I will be able to monitor this area a little more close in the coming months. With March arriving at the end of this week, it will not be long now until we see the first Large Red Damselflies emerging and with the recent mild weather we have been having, this may cause them to emerge a few days earlier. They are quite an easy nymph to identify with caudal lamellae being the most obvious sign if they are still present. They are quite broad, often spotted, dark and show an X shaped marking. I often find that the head is quite large in relation to the body and the abdomen is quite short and the legs often show two dark bands. Many thousands will be entering the last few weeks as a nymph having spent a couple of years under the water so with this in mind, I thought I would bring one of the nymphs home for a photography session in my indoor tank before returning it back to the ditch at Grove Ferry. The tank was already prepared and with a bit of weed added close to the glass, it wasn't long until the nymph was quite happy posing for a few photos which hopefully show off some of the key features. It seems like a long while now since the season finished but we are nearly there and fingers crossed for some nice warm sunny weather in late March which may herald the start of their season once again.
Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) nymph showing
broad Caudal Lamellae with white X shape and long wing sheaths
Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) nymph showing
broad Caudal Lamellae with white X shape and long wing sheaths
Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) nymph showing
broad Caudal Lamellae with white X shape
Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) nymph showing
broad Caudal Lamellae with white X shape and long wing sheaths
Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) nymph showing
broad Caudal Lamellae with white X shape and long wing sheaths
Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) nymph showing
broad Caudal Lamellae with white X shape and long wing sheaths
Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) nymph showing
quite large head and long wing sheaths
Super-detailed, informative and beautifully artistic, Marc. What more could one ask for?! Not long now! Best wishes - - - Richard
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Richard. Possibly my best series with this species. Some pleasing angles captured. Only a month or so to go...maybe.
DeleteAbsolutely stunning, beautiful Marc.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Bob. It can be quite tricky to make this work if the nymph us uncooperative but the rewards are there if you put the time in. Pretty pleased with this set.
DeleteExceptional photography Marc.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Mike. I think they have turned out pretty well. Alot of fiddling with settings etc but occasionally, it all seems to work out.
DeleteSuperb images Marc ….. seems like a relatively easy species to I.D. Was down in Kent last week for half term & managed a couple of days out. Stodmarsh was the site on Friday & it was noticeable how much work that's been done around the nature trail area. Reeds cut back & a number of new "ponds" created. It will be interesting to see how this area develops over the next few years !
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Johnny. Yes, one of the easier species to identify I would say, especially if the caudal lamellae are present. A few nice ponds created in the Alder wood. Should provide some nice entertainment hopefully.
Deleteyou are so patient...and the results are so stunning photos.
ReplyDeleteLove to read your post with great introduction.
Have a wonderful day
Many thanks Tanza. Yes, very patient indeed. Lots of waiting around for the right angles but worth it in the end. You don't see the many shots that don't come out.
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