Beautiful demoiselle in Polissia
Calopteryx virgo
Red Data Book of Ukraine
The beautiful demoiselle is a large damselfly with a slender metallic blue or green body. Males have glossy dark blue wings, females translucent brown ones. In flight the wings beat slowly, and the damselfly flutters like a butterfly.
The beautiful demoiselle lives along clean forest rivers and streams with cool flowing water and shaded banks. In Polissia it is seen on the Ubort, Teteriv, Sluch, Styr and other rivers that flow through forests.
Males guard territories over the water, perching on bankside plants and driving off rivals. The larvae live in the water among roots and plants. The species is sensitive to pollution and is therefore considered an indicator of clean water. The beautiful demoiselle is listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine.
The beautiful demoiselle is best photographed at sunny noon on the bank of a forest river. Do not catch damselflies with a net: their wings are very fragile.
When to see: May–August, on sunny days near water
Where it was seen in Polissia
Observations from the open scientific database GBIF since 1990. Locations are shown approximately, to within 10 km.
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