Clinging

~~

This small, brightly coloured Damselfly is probably the most common of Dragonflies and Damselflies. It inhabits a wide range of habitats, from small ponds to rivers. They are especially common at lakes and reservoirs. Typically they fly low through the reeds and often fly well out over the water.

During mating, the male clasps the female by her neck while she bends her body around to his reproductive organs – this is called a mating wheel. The pair flies together over the water and eggs are laid within a suitable plant, just below the surface.

The eggs hatch and the larvae, called nymphs, live in the water and feed on small aquatic animals. Nymphs climb out of the water up a suitable stem to moult into damselflies.