I went on a stroll this morning through some countryside close to where I was staying with friends. As I was walking, the heavens opened, so I sought cover in the hopes that the rain would stop. I sought cover under one of the nearest trees. I put the can down on a wooden post beside me, smoked a cigarette, and opened a canned drink because I knew I was going to be here for the long haul. I was shocked to see that a male Southern Emerald Damselfly had flown in on the wooden post as I looked down. I snatched up my phone and was able to capture a video and a few pictures of it.
Southern Emerald Damselfly
Note the black and white pterostigma, nice bronzy bits on the thorax and the way the wings are spread out. It is known in some places as the Migrant spreading.
The fact that I was witnessing a true rarity in the heart of Norfolk astounded me. Emerald of the South The two-toned pterostigma (wing spots), broad, pale antehumeral bands on the back of the thorax, and lack of blue colouring are characteristics that set damselflies apart. The southern European species "L. barbarus" is quickly spreading throughout its range. It is distributed over southern Europe in a ring that stretches from India and Mongolia to Spain, France, Italy, and Greece. In northern Europe, it is less prevalent. It is growing in abundance and breeds in the Netherlands' coastal dunes. Since 1995, it has been reproducing on the Channel Islands, which are at the limit of its range. North Africa is another location for it; its Latin name comes from the first specimen found in Barbary, North Africa.
On July 30, 2002, this species was first observed in Britain at Winterton Dunes in Norfolk. After the rain stopped, I looked around and saw a stream running through the field and a small reedbed adjacent to where I was standing. Hopefully, there were others, or was this the only one? My friend came to pick me up because it was growing heavier and I didn't have time to stop and look, but I hope to return to the region at the end of the week.
