Dragonflies and Damselflies in Spain

Golden-ringed dragonfly – Cordulegaster boltonii – La libélula tigre

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Golden-ringed dragonfly - Cordulegaster boltonii - La libélula tigre

Description The golden-ringed dragonfly – Cordulegaster boltonii – La libélula tigre is a large and distinctive dragonfly that belongs to the Cordulegastridae family. They are easily recognized by their black and yellow stripes. Males have yellow parts on the face and jaw, green eyes, a black thorax with wide yellow stripes on the back and … Read more

Southern banded groundling – Brachythemis leucosticta

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Southern banded groundling - Brachythemis leucosticta
  • Family: Libellulidae.
  • Scientific: Brachythemis leucosticta.
  • English: Southern banded groundling.
  • Spanish:
Description

The Southern banded groundling – Brachythemis leucosticta is a small species with an overall body color that ranges from yellowish to blackish-brown. The face of young males and females is yellowish-cream, and the thorax and abdomen are yellow-greenish with noticeable brown or black marks. As they age, males become black, and females become brown.

Southern banded groundling - Brachythemis leucosticta
Southern banded groundling – Brachythemis leucosticta – Male

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Dragonflies and Damselflies in Spain

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Iberian dragonflies and damselflies are extremely beautiful insects which capture the very essence of summer
A pair of Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies – Ischnura pumilio copulating in the “wheel” position
A pair of Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies – Ischnura pumilio copulating in the “wheel” position

Dragonflies and damselflies in Spain are extremely beautiful insects which capture the very essence of summer as they perform their intricate aerobatics around the gleaming backdrop of rivers and pools on hot and sunny days.

As such they are highly visible and important indicators of the health of our wetlands being top insect predators both as airborne adults & aquatic larvae.

Dragonflies are entirely harmless and do not bite or sting, (though they may give a gentle nip if roughly handled!). They also make superb subjects for photography though getting close enough for a good shot can be difficult!

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Small Pincertail (Onychogomphus forcipatus)

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Small Pincertail (Onychogomphus forcipatus)

English common name: Small Pincertail Scientific name: Onychogomphus forcipatus (Linnaeus, 1758) Family: Gomphidae Total length: 46 to 50mm Hind Wing length: 25 to 31mm Flight period in Iberia: May to mid September Distribution: Europe (except Britain), North Africa & the Near East. Widely distributed throughout the Iberian Peninsula, though apparently absent from the coastal fringes … Read more