Banded Demoiselle

The Banded Demoiselle is a large damselfly measuring up to 2" in length, and whilst the males like the one shown here are metallic blue in colour with a dark blue-black spot towards the outer edge of the wing, the females are a metallic green with pale green wings. The subject here was photographed at St. Clair's Meadow near Droxford in Hampshire. 

St Clair’s Meadow nature reserve is home to a rich variety of wildlife. During the summer kingfishers may be seen flying overhead, and if you look carefully you may see signs of the resident water voles. Beautiful clouds of demoiselles, golden ring dragonflies and a myriad of butterflies adorn the skies, making St Clair’s a wonderful location for the amateur entomologist. It also attracts migratory swifts and swallows, which sweep through the air, feeding on the rich insect life the meadow supports.