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Southern emerald damselfly

Southern emerald damselfly

Lestes barbarus

A species of Pond spreadwings, Also known as Shy emerald damselfly

Lestes barbarus is a species of damselfly of the family Lestidae, the spreadwings. Its common names in English include southern emerald damselfly, shy emerald damselfly, and migrant spreadwing.

General Info About Southern emerald damselfly
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Attributes of Southern emerald damselfly
Habitat
Lestes barbarus is a southern European species with a rapidly expanding range. It is found across southern Europe in a band across Spain, France, Italy and Greece to India and Mongolia. It is less common in northern Europe. It breeds in the Netherlands in coastal dunes and is increasing in number. It is at the edge of its range in the Channel Islands, where it has been breeding since 1995. It is also found in North Africa; it gets its Latin name as the first specimen was found in Barbary, North Africa. It is a damselfly of still water and can be found in stagnant and slightly brackish water. This species was first recorded in Britain at Winterton Dunes, Norfolk, on 30 July 2002. In 2003 and 2004 it was noted at Sandwich Bay, Kent. In 2018 it was proven to have bred in Britain for the first time.
Adult Food Sources
Flying insects (e.g., mosquitoes, flies), small moths, mayflies, other small damselflies and dragonflies, aphids
Larva Food Source
Aquatic larvae (from other insect species), small aquatic invertebrates, daphnia (water fleas), zooplankton, tadpoles
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
The Southern emerald damselfly typically preys on other arthropods and does not directly affect plants.
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Life Cycle of Southern emerald damselfly
Egg After mating, the female southern emerald damselfly deposits eggs in water or on vegetation near water. The eggs are typically cylindrical, laid in rows or clusters. Over time, they develop into the next stage.
Naiad The naiad of southern emerald damselfly is aquatic, residing in water. It looks like a smaller version of the adult without wings. As it grows, the naiad molts several times, developing wing pads in later stages.
Adult Emergence of the adult southern emerald damselfly involves climbing out of the water onto a plant. Transformation includes wings unfurling and hardening. Adults display elongated bodies, iridescent wings, and are focused on mating and laying eggs.
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Predators of Southern emerald damselfly Larvae
Amphibians (e.g., frogs and toads), aquatic insects (e.g., other dragonfly larvae, beetles), fish, birds
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Predators of Adult Southern emerald damselfly
Birds, spiders, frogs and toads, mantises, other dragonflies
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Interesting Facts About Southern emerald damselfly
Southern emerald damselfly exhibit unique obelisk behavior, where they point their abdomens towards the sun to minimize overheating on scorching days.
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Scientific Classification of Southern emerald damselfly
Tips for Finding Southern emerald damselfly
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Adult Habitat of Southern emerald damselfly
Forests and Woodlands, Freshwater Habitats, Grasslands and Prairies
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Habitat Preferences of Southern emerald damselfly Through Different Life Stages
Eggs of southern emerald damselfly are laid in aquatic vegetation. The naiads, known as naiads, are aquatic predators found among submerged plants in still or slow-flowing waters like ponds, marshes, or ditches. To find naiads, one would carefully inspect aquatic vegetation or sweep a net through such habitats. After metamorphosis, the adults are terrestrial and frequently observed resting on plants or flying in sunny areas near water bodies. The search for adults involves visiting the edges of ponds or streams on warm days, looking for them perched on vegetation or in-flight, catching prey.
Are Southern emerald damselfly harmful?
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Beneficial Effects of Southern emerald damselfly
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Predators of Pests
Predators of Pests
Purpose
Feed Itself
Diets
Mosquitoes, Flies, Small Moths, Small Insects
Southern emerald damselfly is an aerial hunter, snatching prey mid-flight with its sharp mandibles. Its vision is highly adapted for detecting movement. Naiads are aquatic predators, grasping prey with their labium. This insect consumes a variety of small insects to sustain itself, affecting pest populations.
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