Red-eyed Damselfly (Erythromma najas)
These are known as one of the 'Blue Damselflies' of which Somerset has 7 species: Common, Variable, Azure, Blue-tailed, Red-eyed, Small Red-eyed and White-legged. Identifying these species can be very complicated as they all have similar features and all have colour variations and changes in colour as they age.
Males are blue and black with red eyes, although immature ones look very similar to the female form until they get their blue colour.
Females are greenish/yellowish and black, they have brownish eyes.
Hard to tell apart from the Small Red-eyed and also can be confused with Blue-tailed.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male (Teneral / Newly Emerged)
Male (Teneral / Newly Emerged)
Male (Teneral / Newly Emerged)
Male (Teneral / Newly Emerged)
Female
Female
Female
Female
Want to See
These like slow moving waters like rhynes, slow moving rivers, wetlands areas.
Happiest where the water has floating vegetation, like lilies they can sit on.
The Somerset levels are the best place for these.
NB They aren't seen in such large numbers as Variable/Azures and Blue-tailed are.
Especially Good
RSPB Ham Wall - Route 1 (Mid May to Mid June)
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