Some Dragonflies and Damselflies spotted in the New Forest today.
The “Common Darter” is a smaller Dragonfly. The male is orange-red but becomes brown with age. Females (and juvenile males) are yellowish to light brown. I believe this one is a male.
A “Golden-ringed dragonfly” is a very large,and handsome dragonfly, they are on the wing from May to September.
“Beautiful demoiselle” damselfly the metallic blue males have solid dark blue wings.
The damselfly below had landed in the stream.
It is that time of year when insects are abundant and for my last couple of walks, I have dusted off my Macro lens and tried to record some of the little things I have spotted.
A first for me was some Raft Spiders. (Dolomedes fimbriatus). I had hoped to find some this year. These large spiders will sit at the edge of the water, or on floating vegetation, with their front legs resting on the water’s surface in order to feel for the vibrations of potential prey. Using the surface tension of the water, they chase out onto the water to catch their prey, They will even eat tadpoles or small fish. Raft spiders will also swim underwater.
Raft Spiders will carry their egg sac around for a period of time before creating a nursery web for their spiderlings.
Another spider also spotted was this one from the Pirata species, commonly known as Otter spiders. These spiders carry their young on their back.
Marbled White Butterfly. (Melanargia galathea).
Common Green Lacewing.
Grasshoppers.
Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris).
Cinnabar moth caterpillars
Peacock Moth (Macaria notata)
Continued Reflections from my World. 