Sympecma fusca
Encyclopedia
The Common Winter Damselfly, Sympecma fusca, is a damselfly
that is found in much of central and southern Europe. It does not have the bright blue or red colouration that is more usual for damselflies so it is often overlooked. It is one of only two species of European dragonflies that overwinter as adult insects, the other being the related S. paedisca. It is a member of the Lestidae
and related to the emeralds or spreadwings.
'spreadwing' damselflies, Sympecma rest with their wings alongside their bodies and do not have the metallic emerald green sheen that is characteristic of the Lestes. Sympecma have pale brown pterostigma on both forewing and hindwing and the pterostigma are nearer the wing tip on the forewing which means that both pterostigma can be seen — they do not overlap as in other damselflies. In the field this is easily seen and distinguishes Sympecma from all other damselflies. S. fusca is a nondescript damselfly that blends in with the dried grass stalks in which it overwinters but it is distinct from all other European damselflies except S. paedisca, so in most of its range there are no problems with identification. Where both S. fusca and S. paedisca fly together careful examination of the adult, in the hand, preferably under magnification, is required to tell the two species apart. In the male the anal appendages are slightly different and there are subtle differences in the markings on the thorax in both sexes.
Damselfly
Damselflies are insects in the order Odonata. Damselflies are similar to dragonflies, but the adults can be distinguished by the fact that the wings of most damselflies are held along, and parallel to, the body when at rest...
that is found in much of central and southern Europe. It does not have the bright blue or red colouration that is more usual for damselflies so it is often overlooked. It is one of only two species of European dragonflies that overwinter as adult insects, the other being the related S. paedisca. It is a member of the Lestidae
Lestidae
Lestidae is a rather small family of cosmopolitan, large-sized, slender damselflies. They are of the order of the dragonflies and are commonly known as "Spreadwings." There are two subfamilies in Lestdae. The first subfamily is Lestinae. Damselflies in Lestinae rest with their wings partly open...
and related to the emeralds or spreadwings.
Description
Although related to the LestesLestes
Lestes is a genus of damselfly in family Lestidae. The family hold their wings at about 45 degrees to the body when resting. This distinguishes them from most other species of damselflies which hold the wings along, and parallel to, the body when at rest....
'spreadwing' damselflies, Sympecma rest with their wings alongside their bodies and do not have the metallic emerald green sheen that is characteristic of the Lestes. Sympecma have pale brown pterostigma on both forewing and hindwing and the pterostigma are nearer the wing tip on the forewing which means that both pterostigma can be seen — they do not overlap as in other damselflies. In the field this is easily seen and distinguishes Sympecma from all other damselflies. S. fusca is a nondescript damselfly that blends in with the dried grass stalks in which it overwinters but it is distinct from all other European damselflies except S. paedisca, so in most of its range there are no problems with identification. Where both S. fusca and S. paedisca fly together careful examination of the adult, in the hand, preferably under magnification, is required to tell the two species apart. In the male the anal appendages are slightly different and there are subtle differences in the markings on the thorax in both sexes.
Behaviour
This species is found all year round as it overwinter as an adult. In spring they mates and with the pairs still in tandem, the females oviposit in floating vegetation. Most reproductive behaviour occurs in April and May. The eggs hatch and the larvae develop rapidly in about 2 months. When the adults emerge they move away from water, often to heath or grassland a long distance from water, where they overwinter hidden amongst dried plant stems.Habitat and distribution
It is found much of central Europe stretching out to Asia where it is replaced by S. paedisca. It is found around the Mediterranean in Europe and North Africa and on many Mediterranean islands. It can be found in all types of standing water. In winter adults are found away from water on dry plant stems usually in open areas such as grassland and heaths. It was recorded for the first time in Britain in 2008.See also
- List of damselflies of the world (Lestidae)
- Lestes dryasLestes dryasLestes dryas is a species of damselfly which is found across Europe, Asia and North America. In North America it is known as the Emerald Spreadwing and this name is becoming more widely used in Europe. In Britain, it is very rare so its common name is the Scarce Emerald Damselfly. An alternate name...
- Lestes barbarusLestes barbarusLestes barbarus is a damselfly of the family Lestidae. It has the typical appearance of a Lestes damselfly; it has a metallic green body and at rest it holds its wings away from its body. Its common name in English is the Migrant Spreadwing but in Great Britain it is often known as the Southern...
- Lestes virensLestes virensThe Small Emerald Damselfly or Small Spreadwing, Lestes virens is a damselfly of the family Lestidae. It has the typical appearance of a Lestes damselfly; it has a metallic green body and at rest it holds its wings away from its body....
- Lestes macrostigmaLestes macrostigmaLestes macrostigma is a damselfly of the family Lestidae. Its common name is the Dark Emerald Damselfly or Dark Spreadwing and it has the typical appearance of a Lestes damselfly; it has a metallic green body and at rest it holds its wings away from its body. It is usually found in brackish...
- Lestes viridisLestes viridisChalcolestes viridis, formerly Lestes viridis, is a damselfly of the family Lestidae. It has a metallic green body and at rest it holds its wings away from its body...
- Lestes parvidensLestes parvidensChalcolestes parvidens, formerly Lestes parvidens, is a damselfly of the family Lestidae. It has a metallic green body and at rest it holds its wings away from its body. Its common name in English is the Eastern Willow Spreadwing.-Taxonomy:...