Male Banded Demoiselle ©Mark Hamblin/2020VISION
Female Banded Demoiselle ©Margaret Holland
Banded demoiselle
Scientific name: Calopteryx splendens
The Banded demoiselle can be seen flitting around slow-moving rivers, ponds and lakes. The males are metallic blue, with a distinctive dark band across their wings, and the females are a shiny green.
Species information
Statistics
Length: 4.5cmConservation status
Common.
When to see
May to AugustAbout
The Banded demoiselle is a large damselfly that lives along the edges of slow-flowing rivers and canals, still ponds and lakes, and among lush, damp vegetation. Its common name is derived from the distinctive 'fingerprint' mark on the males' wings. The only other damselfly with coloured wings is the similar-looking Beautiful demoiselle; however, this species lives on smaller, fast-flowing rivers, mainly in the west of the country. Banded Demoiselle males are very territorial, performing fluttering display flights to win over females. They are on the wing from May to August.How to identify
Male Banded demoiselles are metallic blue, with broad, dark blue patches on each wing; females are metallic green with pale greenish wings. Of the UK's damselflies, only the Banded demoiselle and similar Beautiful demoiselle have coloured wings; the latter differs by displaying almost entirely dark, metallic wings. At rest, damselflies hold their wings along the length of their abdomen.In our area
The Banded Demoiselle is only found on the east side of Montgomeryshire, being largely restricted to the main rivers; the Severn, Vyrnwy and Banwy.