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Beautiful demoiselle

Beautiful demoiselle

Calopteryx virgo

A species of Demoiselles, Also known as Demoiselle agrion

Adorned with striking metallic-blue wings, beautiful demoiselle showcases sexual dimorphism; males flaunt deep blue-pigmented wings while females feature green-tinged iridescence. Found typically near clean, slow-flowing streams, their larvae develop in water, metamorphosing into adept aerial predators that feed on flying insects, providing natural pest control in their habitats.

General Info About Beautiful demoiselle
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Attributes of Beautiful demoiselle
Colors
Brown
Green
Blue
Habitat
stream; creek
Adult Food Sources
Flying insects, such as mosquitoes, flies, moths, and sometimes smaller dragonflies
Larva Food Source
Aquatic insect larvae, tadpoles, small fish, zooplankton, other small aquatic organisms
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Beautiful demoiselle is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
The Beautiful demoiselle typically preys on other arthropods and does not directly affect plants.
Biting animal or pet
Yes
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
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Species Status of Beautiful demoiselle
The distribution of this species covers all of Europe with the exception of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands and Iceland.
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Distribution Area of Beautiful demoiselle
Europe
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Appearance of Beautiful demoiselle
The larva is stick-like with long legs. The body of the larvae is not flattened but very slim and turning around, the legs are long and have its end with strong claws. Calopteryx virgo can reach a body length of 5 - 5 cm, with a length of hindwings of 3 - 4 cm. These large, dark damselflies have small hemispherical eyes located laterally on the head, two pair of wings similar in shape and a slender abdomen. The basal area of the wings is transparent, otherwise wings are uniformly colored. Immature males show brown wings. They have metallic blue-green bodies and blue-green eyes.
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How to Identify Beautiful demoiselle?

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Life Cycle of Beautiful demoiselle
Egg The egg of beautiful demoiselle is laid in water or on vegetation near water. It's typically oval, small, and may be variably colored to match the substrate, providing camouflage from predators. Development within the egg is dependent on temperature and water conditions.
Naiad Upon hatching, the naiad of beautiful demoiselle resembles a miniature adult without wings. It lives in water, has a long, slender body, and undergoes a series of molts. naiads are predatory, undergoing significant changes in size and developing wing pads with each molt.
Adult Emerging from its final molt, the adult beautiful demoiselle has fully developed wings, a metallic body coloration, and improved sensory capabilities. The adult size is larger than the nymph, and it can fly. Reproductive maturity is reached, and the main functions are reproduction and dispersal.
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Adult Size of Beautiful demoiselle
5 - 5 cm
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Predators of Beautiful demoiselle Larvae
Fish, backswimmers, water beetles, tadpoles, salamander larvae
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Predators of Adult Beautiful demoiselle
Birds, spiders, frogs, wasps, dragonflies, ants
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Interesting Facts About Beautiful demoiselle
The beautiful demoiselle can consume prey during flight, showcasing a remarkable aerial dexterity rare among insects.
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Scientific Classification of Beautiful demoiselle
Tips for Finding Beautiful demoiselle
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Youth Habitat of Beautiful demoiselle
Freshwater Habitats
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Adult Habitat of Beautiful demoiselle
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Freshwater Habitats, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
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How Can You Attract Beautiful demoiselle
Given that beautiful demoiselle are carnivorous, using trap foods is not an effective way to locate them; beautiful demoiselle hunt live prey, particularly small insects, and are more likely to be found through direct observation in their natural habitats.
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Habitat Preferences of Beautiful demoiselle Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of beautiful demoiselle are deposited on aquatic plants or in the water. naiads, known as naiads, inhabit slow-flowing streams or rivers with a muddy or sandy bottom, rich in vegetation. Upon emerging as adults, beautiful demoiselle favor areas near the water bodies where they developed, typically frequented by diverse vegetation allowing for easy predation and mate attraction. To find the different stages, search the edges of streams or rivers with abundant plants for eggs, sift through the sediment and plants for the naiads, and observe the plants and airspace nearby for the adult beautiful demoiselle.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Beautiful demoiselle
The optimal time to find beautiful demoiselle is usually during the daytime, especially on warm, sunny days when they are most active. Beautiful demoiselle are often seen around water bodies as the naiads are aquatic and adults frequently return to water to mate and lay eggs.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Beautiful demoiselle
Warm, dry weather with little to no wind is the most suitable for locating beautiful demoiselle, as it encourages their flight and the visibility is greater for observation.
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How and Where Can You Find Beautiful demoiselle at Different Life Stages
Egg Beautiful demoiselle eggs are laid on vegetation in or near water. Locating these requires careful observation of plant stems and leaves that are partially submerged or wet, looking for small, elongated eggs often placed in rows.
Naiad Beautiful demoiselle naiads are aquatic and can be found by gently lifting rocks, looking into crevices, and inspecting submerged vegetation in clean, slow-moving streams, rivers, or ponds where the egg was laid.
Adult Beautiful demoiselle in the emergent or metamorphosis stage can be spotted near the water's edge, where they climb on vegetation to undergo their final moult into adults. Look for them at dawn or dusk when this process often occurs.
Beautiful demoiselle adults are active fliers and often seen patrolling territory near water sources. They can be found perched on vegetation or stones in sunny spots, or in mid-air as they chase prey or mates. A calm approach and patience are necessary to observe or photograph them.
Are Beautiful demoiselle harmful?
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Beneficial Effects of Beautiful demoiselle
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Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
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Predators of Pests
Predators of Pests
Stage
Adults, Naiads
Purpose
Feed Itself
Diets
Mosquitoes, Larval Aquatic Insect
Beautiful demoiselle, known as a hunter both in its aquatic naiad stage and as an aerial adult, primarily consumes small insects. It expertly captures its prey with its sharp mandibles, mainly feeding on mosquitoes and aquatic larvae, ensuring its survival and contributing to the balance of the ecosystem.
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