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Small Red Damselfly

(Scientific Name: Ceriagrion tenellum)



Male Small Red Damselfly by António A Gonçalves
Male Small Red Damselfly by António A Gonçalves
tandem Small Red Damselfy - showing largely black form female with pinkish legs by Santiago Monteagudo Campos
tandem Small Red Damselfy by Santiago Monteagudo Campos
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Species Information:


Length: 31mm (Adult)
Flight Period: June (May) - August (September)

One of our smallest damselflies, this is one of only two red damselfly species in the UK. The male has an all red abdomen. The female exists in several colour forms varying in the amount of red and black on the abdomen from nearly all black in f. melanogastrum to an uncommon red form, erythrogastrum. Both sexes have a bronze-black thorax and red legs and pterostigma.

Squat with broad and short caudal lamellae with dark veins. Hind margin of head distinctively angular.



Habitat:


Found in shallow pools, seepages and streams in heathland bog.



Status & Distribution:


Rare. Restricted to heathlands in southern England and west Wales.



Similar Species:


The only other red damselfly in the UK is the Large Red Damselfly. The Large Red has black legs and pterostigma and the male never has an entirely red abdomen.

Pyrrhosoma nymphula

Large Red Damselfly