Sympecma fusca

Sympecma fusca, the common winter damselfly, is a damselfly a member of the Lestidae and related to the emeralds or spreadwings.[3]

Common winter damselfly
Male
Kampinos Forest, Poland
Female
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Odonata
Suborder:
Zygoptera
Family:
Lestidae
Genus:
Sympecma
Species:
S. fusca
Binomial name
Sympecma fusca
Synonyms[1][2]

Distribution and habitat

This species can be found in much of southern and 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.[4][5]

It can be found in all types of standing water, including in brackish waters. 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.[6]

Description

Sympecma fusca can reach a length of about 38 millimetres (1.5 in).[6] It is distinct from all other European damselflies except Sympecma paedisca, so in most of its range there are no problems with identification. In fact it does not have the bright blue or red colouration that is more usual for damselflies so it is often overlooked. Moreover it do not have the metallic emerald green sheen that is characteristic of the Lestes.[6]

These damselflies 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. Males that have overwintered have dark brown pterostigma on both forewing and hindwing and many develop blue eyes.

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.[6] It usually blends in with the dried grass stalks in which it overwinters. It is one of only two species of European dragonflies that overwinter as adult insects, the other being the related Sympecma paedisca. Although related to the Lestes 'spreadwing' damselflies, Sympecma rest with their wings alongside their bodies

In spring these damselflies mate 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.

  • Young female
  • Detail of a male
  • Pterostigma from both wings can be seen
  • Sympecma fusca, male.
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See also

References
  1. Selys & Hagen 1850, Revue des Odonates Paris:161
  2. Charpentier, 1825 Hor. Ent., Paris 10
  3. Paulson D., Schorr M., (2005-2013): World Odonata List
  4. Fauna europaea
  5. IUCN
  6. Winter Damselfly

Bibliography
  • Askew, R.R. (2004) The Dragonflies of Europe. (revised ed.) Harley Books. pp65–66ISBN 0946589755
  • d'Aguilar, J., Dommanget, JL., and Prechac, R. (1986) A field guide to the Dragonflies of Britain, Europe and North Africa. Collins. ISBN 0-00-219436-8
  • Gibbons, R.B., (1986). Dragonflies and Damselflies of Britain and Northern Europe. Country Life Books. ISBN 0-600-35841-0.
  • Dijkstra, K-D.B & Lewington, R. (2006) Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe. British Wildlife Publishing. ISBN 0-9531399-4-8.
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