red-eyed damselfly large redeye erythromma najas

in tandem
red-eyed damselflies red-eyed damselflies


mating
red-eyed damselfly


ovipositing
red-eyed damselfly
Laying occurs with the pair in tandem, in this case under the watchful eye of another male.
red-eyed damselfly
The female lays into the leaves of floating plants.


portraits
red-eyed damselfly
The male has a bronzy-black top to the thorax and no stripes on it.
red-eyed damselfly
Black legs. Brownish wing-spots.
red-eyed damselfly
The female usually has short or broken yellowish thoracic stripes. The wings of both sexes are very long (extend as far as s8 ?).
red-eyed damselfly
immature female
red-eyed damselfly
male
red-eyed damselfly
male
red-eyed damselfly
immature male
red-eyed damselfly
immature male
red-eyed damselfly
immature male
red-eyed damselfly
immature male


feeding
red-eyed damselfly
preying on a teneral (same species, perhaps)
red-eyed damselfly


an ageing sequence (male)
red-eyed damselfly
picture 1 of 3: it is quite easy to see the progression of colours in the eyes, thorax and lower abdominal segments as the insect develops
red-eyed damselfly
picture 2 of 3: greenish sides to the thorax show immaturity
 red-eyed damselfly
picture 3 of 3: the deep red eyes, blue thorax and blue colour of segments 9 & 10 show that this is an adult male


an ageing sequence (female)
red-eyed damselfly
picture 1 of 3: colours are not very strong although there is a slight thoracic stripe
red-eyed damselfly
picture 2 of 3: stronger yellow on thorax and abdomen
 red-eyed damselfly
picture 3 of 3: the female adult shows dark red/ brown eyes, green thorax and light blue divisions in the lower segments