The Large Red damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphal) a European insect paired. SCO 9091.
Male large red damselflies are bright red with a black thorax and black bands towards the end of the body. The amount of red and black on the females' abdomens varies, with some forms appearing almost entirely black. The similar small red damselfly is a much rarer species, only found on heathlands in the south of England and western Wales. It is smaller, more delicate and has less red than its larger Large Red normally has a two year life cycle. Unusually for dragonflies, the larvae are territorial as well as the adult can recognise damselflies from the true dragonflies by the fact that they hold their wings together behind their backs and have a very thin body (thinner than a matchstick). The large red damselfly is a real light weight at only about 40 milligrams and it is always the first species to be seen. The colour of this insect is quite variable; adult males are mostly red with some black on their tail whilst the females have a greater proportion of black.
Size: 5848px × 4186px
Location: Loch Garten, Nethybridge. Strathspey. Inverness-shire. Highland Region. Scotland. UK.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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