...nine ladies dancing

For our ninth day it seems fitting to mention dragonflies and damselflies that provide a great spectacle to view in the summer as they dance through the air. They are among the most beautiful insects and also most ancient of creatures. Millions and millions of years ago they were much larger than they are now and they include some of the largest flying invertebrates ever.

 

 

Common blue damselfly- Jodie Randall (rspb-images.com) 

Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects in the world with larger ones reaching speeds of up to 30mph. There are many different species and here at Frampton Marsh we have Emperor, Broad-bodied chaser and Black-tailed skimmer to name a few. It can be quite difficult to tell apart a damselfly and a dragonfly but when at rest damselflies hold their wings together where as dragonflies hold them out and damselflies are smaller.

 

They produce some spectacular displays including performing an aerial dance as the males and females come together to mate. Dragonflies can even fly backwards and can angle their two sets of wings independently allowing them to carry out astonishing aerial manoeuvres, spectacular hovering and flight in any direction. Last summer we were treated to great views of dragonflies and damselflies around the reserve and we hope for the same this year. 

 

 

Broad-bodied chaser dragonfly- Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)