|
 The beautiful demoiselle (Catopteryx virgo) is a
brilliantly attractive damselfly, which is found locally in central-western Scotland. The mature male is especially striking; it has a metallic greeny-blue body, which contrasts with its deep blue or purplish wings,
although as the angle of the wings changes in sunlight they can appear bright blue or green in startling flashes, The female has a shining green body and its wings are russet or smoky-brown. The
immature male also has smoky-brown wings - which can prove confusing to the casual observer. In June, July and early August this insect can be found fluttering, rather like a
fragile butterfly, among the vegetation near clear running streams. It has a weak short flight, but nevertheless can fly off into nearby woodland; it particularly likes to roost in small trees and bushes near water.
The males court the females avidly and persistently and are aggressive towards one another. If they succeed in mating, the pair fly around in tandem before the female moves
off to lay her eggs, which she inserts into the stems of aquatic plants. The resulting nymphs (lanrae) live in the water and, like all other dragonfly and damselfly nymphs, are voracious
carnivores. They lurk among the weeds until suitable prey come within reach of their extensible "mask", with its sickle-shaped jaws. At first they eat tiny worms and waterfleas
but when grown they can easily manage tadpoles and other large items. The beautiful demoiselle prefers sheltered, semi wooded countryside, and clear, cool, unpolluted streams
with gravely bottoms, and is found extensively in south and west Britain, It is reassuring and exciting to discover this insect in central-western Scotland.
|
