Alners Gorse, Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset
Order : Odonata
Family : Platycnemididae
Genus : Platycnemis
Species : Platycnemis pennipes
A small damselfly with a total length of 35-37mm that is also called the Blue Featherleg in other parts of Europe. It is quite variable in colour. Distributed from the UK in the west across Europe to Asia Minor and Russia. They are not very common in the UK but can be considered fairly common within their specific habitat.
Found mainly along sunlit slow-moving lowland streams and rivers but also sometimes on canals and lakes. Adult males have obvious thickened, feather-like tibiae which are used in a fluttering display to attract females. Flight period is from mid May to September but peaking in June and July. The larvae live amongst underwater debris and emerge after two years.
All my insect pics are handheld single shots of live animals, usually in the wild.
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