A common blue damselfly at Cors Ian Ceredigion
Cors Ian is an upland valley mire with an interesting mosaic of habitats, hiding a wide array of marsh plants. Amongst the Molinia tufts and rushes a small population of Water Voles is thriving, nesting above ground with their territory extending some way from the central overgrown streambed. Resident birds on the mire include breeding Grasshopper Warblers and Reed Buntings, with Stonechats, Whinchats and Meadow Pipits on the drier heath. The old hedgerows provide nest sites for Redstarts, Tits and Wrens whilst around the old stables are nesting Spotted and Pied Flycatchers, Swallows and Garden Warblers in the scrub area. Birds of prey that can be seen include Buzzard, Red Kite and occasional Hen Harrier, with corvids including Raven. Dragonflies, notably the Keeled Skimmer, thrive wherever there is surface water but the most dramatic Golden Ringed Dragonfly can be found hunting amongst the gorse. There are many commoner species of butterflies but also the Marsh Violets support a small population of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries. The common blue damselfly can be easily mistaken for the azure damselfly (Coenagrion puella), but on the back and the thorax, the common blue damselfly has more blue than black; for the azure damselfly it is the other way around. The second segment of the thorax has a distinctive spot with a line below connecting to the third segment. Another difference can be observed when inspecting the side of the thorax. The common blue damselfly has only one small black stripe there, while all other blue damselflies have two. A male is blue while a female is brown on a common blue damselfly. During mating, the male clasps the female by her neck while she bends her body around to his reproductive organs – this is called a mating wheel. The pair flies together over the water and eggs are laid within a suitable plant, just below the surface. The eggs hatch and the larvae, called nymphs, live in the water and feed on small aquatic animals.
Size: 3184px × 2123px
Location: Cors Ian Ceredigion Wales UK Europe
Photo credit: © Philip Jones / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: animals, blue, ceredigion, common, cors, cyathigerum, cythigerum, damsel, enallagma, europe, flies, fly, horizontal, ian, insect, insects, land, mid, reserve, summer, uk, wales, wild, wildlife
