Damselflies at Crymlyn Bog

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula) 

 The recent run of exceptional weather has certainly got the damselfly activity into full swing at Crymlyn Bog. Large Red, Azure, Variable and Common Blue Damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) all noted today. 4 Large Red Damselflies were noted today. 1 pair of Common Blue Damselfly was the least abundant species today.

Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion pulla)

 6+ Azure Damselflies were noted including a mating pair.

Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum)

 The distribution of this species seems to be restricted, certainly in recent years, to this area and along the Tennant Canal within VC41. I would estimate that there were far more Variables than Azure present today and put the quantity in the region of 20 or more.

The female Variable Damselfly (above) was found quite some distance away from the main group and on closer inspection I found that it was eating a small Crane Fly or something similar.

One ovipositing tandem Variable Damselfly pair (above) was observed in the small pool accessed via the boardwalk. However, the bulk numbers of this species were observed in the pool nearest the carpark.