Large red damselfly by Steve Callow 1/10
Large red damselfly by Nick Goodrum 2/10
Large red damselfly by Nick Goodrum 3/10
Large red damselfly by Russell Baylin 4/10
Large red damselfly by Bob Carpenter 5/10
Large red damselfly by Pat Adams 6/10
Large red damselfly by Pat Adams 7/10
Large red damselfly by Neville Yardy 8/10
Large red damselfly by Elizabeth Dack 9/10
Large red damselfly by Ray Jones 10/10

Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula

This large, robust creature commonly has extensive black markings, red antehumeral stripes and black legs. They readily colonise small ponds and can be seen at any of the Norfolk Willdife Trust's nature reserves

Conservation status

Large red damselfly is not currently threatened in Britain, but has apparently declined in eastern England over recent decades due to more intensive agricultural practices.

Related questions & advice

What is the difference between dragonflies and damselflies?

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Did you know?

The long, thin bodies of damselflies, darting to and fro, have been likened to the hand stitching of a sewer as the needle passes in and out of the cloth. This has given rise to English folk names such as Devil’s Darning Needle or Granny’s needle.

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