Taxonomy
Calopteryx virgo | Beautiful Demoiselle | Brídeog
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Ireland: Least Concern
EU: Least Concern
Distribution has not changed significantly
apart from a slight northward spread in recent years.
Native status
Native
Species Biology
Identification
Length: 4.5cm
Wingspan: 6.3cm
Male has metallic blue-green body with dark blue-black tinted wings (iridescent up close). Female has metallic green body with light brown tinted wings with a small white dot close to the tip of the wing. Like the banded demoiselle they have a butterfly-like flight.
Adult habitat & habits
Distinctive flight-beat their wings with a flicking action.
Habitat
Prefers fast-flowing streams and shallow rivers with a gravel or sandy bottom. Muddy bottom rivers and slow-flowing waters are usually avoided. Tolerant of shade but usually areas that lack sunlight are avoided. Females spend most of their time at the breeding site and males are usually perches on nearby vegetation.
Flight period
May to September
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Found mostly throughout the lower half of Ireland, more abundant further south. Absent from Ulster and most of Connaught.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2023
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