SOUTHERN EMERALD DAMSEL
The Southern emerald damsel or migrant spreadwing, as it is also called, has a body length of 40 to 45mm. Unlike most damselflies, this species holds its wings away from its body when at rest (hence spreadwing). The males' body is emerald green, apart from the claspers at the end of the abdomen, which are pale. The female is light and dark brown with a pale ovipositor (egg layer). Both sexes have bicoloured pterostigmata, brown and white spots on the wing tips.
The adults flight period is from March to October, and they can be found at breeding time, near still water as well as stagnant and brackish water. When not breeding, they are usually found away from water. After mating, the pair stay locked together in tandem, while the female lays her eggs on the waterside plants. The eggs overwinter and hatch in Spring, with the larvae developing into adults in 2 months.
