Small Red Damselfly (Ceriagrion tenellum)

Small Red Damselfly

This small and rather colourful species may be seen in late June into early September.

It's easily told apart from the Large Red by its smaller size, bright red abdomen and its golden body which lacks the colour stripes of its larger relative.

The female is duller with black and red abdomal markings.

Although rarer than the Large Red, it can be locally abundant once a breeding site has been located.

They prefer unshaded boggy peaty pools and seepages with plenty of low lying waterside vegetation, spending much of their time on grassy perches. Males frequently clash with each other but not in the violent manner of dragonflies.