Norfolk Damselfly
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| Coenagrion armatum |
Norfolk Damselfly Coenagrion armatum is a blue damselfly of the family Coenagrionidae. This species acquired its common name from its discovery in 1903 and presence in a very restricted area of the Norfolk Broads. Records came from Sutton, Stalham and Hickling Broads.
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[edit] Identification
At first glance this damselfly may resemble a Blue-tailed Damselfly or a Red-eyed Damselfly more than a Coenagrion species. Both sexes have a distinctive black abdomen with coloured areas at both the base of it and the tip.
[edit] Breeding
This Damselfly was lost from its British sites due to natural succession from open water to dry reedbeds. On the continent it breeds in ponds ditches and slow rivers. Its breeding biology is poorly known. Eggs are laid in the stems and leaves of aquatic plants. The larvae live amongst aquatic plants and probably emerge after one year.
[edit] Behaviour
The flight period in Britain used to extend from late May to late July. Males perch on floating leaves. It is a strong flying damselfly.
[edit] Status and distribution
This is a species of northern and Eastern Europe eastwards to Siberia and Mongolia. It was believed lost in the Netherlands in the 20th century but was rediscovered there in 1999.
[edit] Status in Britain
The species was formerly recorded as a breeding species in Britain, in Norfolk. It was last recorded in 1968. Since its main range is from the Baltic area eastwards, the likelihood of recolonisation in Britain seems low.
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