Common Winter Damselfly

Fascinating facts about the Common Winter Damselfly

• The common winter damselfly is one of just two European dragonflies that spend the winter as adults, the other being its close relative Sympecma paedisca. It is found all year round because it overwinters in the adult stage, unlike most damselflies that disappear as larvae. During the cold months it blends into dried grass stalks, remaining hidden among the vegetation. This habit allows it to be observed throughout the year even when water bodies are frozen.
• During the cold months adult common winter damselflies abandon water and perch on dry grass stems in open heathland or grassland. They are found away from water on dry plant stems usually in open areas such as grassland and heaths, often a long distance from any pond. Once emerged they move to these dry habitats and hide amongst the dried plant stems, remaining concealed until spring. This behaviour keeps them safe from the harsh winter conditions near water.
• Britain has recorded the common winter damselfly only twice, highlighting its rarity in the region. The first record was made on 21 December 2008 in south-east Wales, marking the species' initial appearance on the British mainland. The second observation occurred on 5 May 2022 at Wildern Moor in Hedge End, where it was reported by Terry Crow within Wildern Local Nature Reserve. These two sightings remain the only confirmed British records to date.
• The common winter damselfly measures about 38 mm in length and carries pale brown pterostigma on both fore- and hind-wings. These spots sit nearer the tips of the forewings, so when the insect folds its wings the pterostigmata remain visible and never overlap as they do in other damselflies. Because the wings are held alongside the body, observers can spot the twin markings without spreading the wings, making field identification quick and reliable.

Sources

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• Wikipedia

At a glance

About the Common Winter Damselfly

As the first wisps of winter's chill begin to dance across the landscape, the Common Winter Damselfly emerges, its delicate form a testament to the enduring power of life in the face of fading warmth. With a gentle, almost ethereal quality, it flits across the frost-kissed waters, its iridescent wings beating in a hypnotic rhythm as it searches for the last remnants of autumn's bounty. In this fleeting, crystal-sharp world, the Common Winter Damselfly is a mesmerizing embodiment of resilience, its very existence a poignant reminder of the beauty that can be found in even the most unexpected of seasons.

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