IDENTITY RECORD

Red-eyed Damselfly

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Erythromma najas

DescrIption

I measure between 25 and 31 mm long with a wingspan ranging from 19 to 25 mm. My body is black and blue for the males and black and green for the females. My eyes are bright red.

Behavior

Diet

my larvae eat small aquatic invertebrates. The adults catch small insects.

Reproduction

the male and female mate in the tandem position. Females insert their eggs in submerged and floating aquatic vegetation. They hatch about five weeks later. The larvae stage lasts about eight to 12 months.

Where and when can you find me in the reserve ?

Habitat

I live near stagnant waterbodies like ponds and ox-bows, or slow-flowing streams, provided there is good sunlight and floating vegetation.

When to spot me

Adults are found between May and September.

Did you know?

When mating, the pair in tandem can dip below the surface of the water where they can stay for up to almost half an hour.

Mistaken identity

the male can be confused with the small red-eyed damselfly and the female with many other species.

Conservation status

• Red list of Odonata in metropolitan France: Least Concern (LC).
• Red list of endangered Odonata in Alsace: Least Concern (LC).