Friday 9 September 2016

Chalcolestes viridis Willow Emerald Damselfly, a new Norfolk garden arrival

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Chalcolestes viridis, Willow Emerald Damselfly began to colonise the UK only a few years ago. The first British record was a dead adult found at Pevensey, E Sussex in 1979, followed by a larval exuvium collected at Cliffe Marshes, N Kent in 1992. Adults were seen near Felixstowe, Suffolk in 2007, but in 2009 there were at least 400 reports from N Essex, E Suffolk and S Norfolk, and in subsequent years the species has pushed westwards.

Having never seen its widespread British cousin, Lestes sponsa, in our garden I have never expected to encounter this new arrival. First seen yesterday, but it took flight and disappeared before I could get photos. Despite the stiff breeze it was on the same low perch today, 50 cm up next to bushes, well away from water.





Chalcolestes viridis current UK distribution (Biological Records Centre)


Chalcolestes viridis current UK distribution (Biological Records Centre)


2016 and pre-2016 UK records of Chalcolestes viridis (British Dragonfly Society)