Calopteryx virgo (Beautiful Demoiselle)
male, Lago de Sanabria, Castilla y Leon
female, Fragas do Eume, Galicia
Largely a species of northern Spain (and widespread in lowland Europe and Britain), C.virgo is a very attractive damselfly. Males are an intense iridescent dark blue, whereas females are iridescent green with bronzy tones and have brown wings.
The similar C.haemorrhoidalis looks rather similar, but females have a dark band on their hindwings and both sexes have brown tibiae (lower half of their legs).
You can see photos of C.virgo from southern England here.
The similar C.haemorrhoidalis looks rather similar, but females have a dark band on their hindwings and both sexes have brown tibiae (lower half of their legs).
You can see photos of C.virgo from southern England here.
Platycnemis latipes (White Featherleg)
male, Lago de Sanabria, Castilla y Leon
A species endemic to south-western Europe and widespread in lowland Spain, the White Featherleg is easy to recognise with its very pale abdomen with black markings and its feathery white legs.
Coenagrion pulchellum (Variable Damselfly)
male
female, Somiedo Parque Natural, Asturias (all three photos)
Very similar to the Azure Damselfly, this widespread species is distinguished by the black pattern on the second abdominal segment, which is Y-shaped in C.pulchellum and U-shaped in C.puella.
Cordulegaster boltonii (Golden-ringed Dragonfly)
Lago de Sanabria Parque Natural, Castilla y Leon
female ovipositing, Someido Parque Natural, Asturias
This impressively-sized, powerful dragonfly is always a pleasure to see. It can be seen across Spain and most of western and central Europe.
The species is described in more detail in the Dragonflies of Britain section of the site.
The species is described in more detail in the Dragonflies of Britain section of the site.
Crocothemis erythraea (Scarlet Darter)
male, Quintanaloma lagoon, Burgos
The broad abdomen and intense scarley colouration of this impressive dragonfly make it easy to identify. It is found across all of lowland Spain and most of te southern half of Europe.
Sympetrum fonscolombii (Red-veined Darter)
female, Somiedo Parque Natural, Asturias
Despite its common name, only males have red veins - those of females are a rich yellow, as can be seen in this photo.
Red-veiner Darters are resident all over Spain and southern Europe, with adults wandering northwards in summer.
Red-veiner Darters are resident all over Spain and southern Europe, with adults wandering northwards in summer.