Dragonflies and damselflies

Devon is a national stronghold for dragonflies and damselflies.

As climate changes new species are colonising Devon.

Many beautiful common species such as the broad-bodied chaser, southern hawker and large-red damselfly are quick to colonise our ponds – so get digging!

Page needs discussing with and editing by Dave Smallshire during the consultation period.

What we need to do and where

Red-veined Darter, Dave Smallshire

Scarce Chaser, Dave Smallshire

Norfolk Hawker, Dave Smallshire

1. About

Devon is one of the most species-rich counties for damselflies and dragonflies thanks to its warm southerly location and diverse wetland habitats. These habitats vary from nutrient-rich lakes, ponds, rivers, and canals in the lowlands to acidic bogs, streams, and fast-flowing rivers on Dartmoor and Exmoor.

Dragonflies and damselflies (referred to here as dragonflies) are members of the insect order called Odonata. Simplistically dragonflies are larger and stronger with eyes that meet at the top of their heads. They all need:

Water:Their life cycle is primarily aquatic. Adults lay eggs onto aquatic vegetation and the larvae (known as nymphs) spend two to five years underwater before emerging as adults. They need clean healthy waterbodies with emergent vegetation which the larvae climb up in order to pupate into dragonflies.

Food: Dragonflies are carnivorous and both nymphs and adults are skilled hunters feeding on whatever they can find. Nymphs feed on mosquito larvae, tadpoles, small fish and other insects. Adults are aerial predators and feed on other insects such as mosquitoes, flies, midges, bees and butterflies.

In Britain, there are 27 species of dragonflies and 16 species of damselflies, with 31 species recorded in Devon. Eleven are listed as Devon Species of Conservation Concern (see the spreadsheet) and four of these are listed as Focus Species.  Detailed information is set out in Dragonflies in Devon, produced by the Devon Group of the British Dragonfly Society. Records can be obtained via the National Biodiversity Network. See links to both in Find out more.

Devon Species of Conservation Concern

The hairy dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) reaches its south-western limit here, with strong populations around the Exe marshes, Bovey Basin, and Slapton. It has recently colonised new sites, such as the Grand Western Canal and Braunton Burrows. It flies from late April to mid-July.

The small red damselfly (Ceriagrion tenellum) needs small, sunny, shallow pools on acidic heaths or bogs, where larvae develop in warm water. It is poor at competing with other species and vulnerable to changes in rainfall and climate. It flies from June to early September and is found on Dartmoor and the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths.

The downy emerald (Cordulia aenea) is scarce and very local, breeding in woodland ponds and lakes. In Devon, usually only a few territorial males are seen, with rare egg-laying records. Adults often roam woodland. Known sites include the Bovey Basin and Bystock Ponds and Squabmoor reservoir on the Pebblebed Heaths.

The red-eyed damselfly (Erythromma najas) prefers canals, slow rivers, and still waters with floating vegetation. It’s fairly common but very local, with strongholds in the Bovey Basin, lower Exe Valley, and Grand Western Canal.

The white-legged damselfly (Platycnemis pennipes) is found on slow-flowing lowland rivers and streams with vegetation, where adults gather in tall bankside plants. It flies from late May to mid-August and is recorded along rivers including the Axe, Clyst, Exe, Otter, Tamar, Taw, Torridge, and Yeo.

The red-veined darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) is a migratory species, increasingly seen in Britain with scattered breeding in warm, shallow, open waters. In Devon, it has bred at sites like Clennon Valley, Meeth, and Soar.

The ruddy darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) prefers shallow, well-vegetated ponds, lakes, and canals, tolerating acidic waters.  More common in Dorset and Somerset it has always been scarce in Devon. It’s current status in Devon is not known but former breeding sites include Braunton Burrows, Offwell, and Seaton Marshes.

Key pressures and opportunities

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Climate change

A change in climate and weather patterns may affect water levels in wetlands, which may impact dragonflies’ abilities to reproduce and find food.  Climate change will also however bring new species to Devon and may be a reason for the expansion of the Norfolk Hawker from East Anglia to Devon and the recent colonisation by scarce chasers (See below).

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Water quality

Pesticides and other pollutants can contaminate dragonfly habitats leading to a decline in, or loss of, populations. There is currently a huge momentum to improve water quality which will in turn help our dragonfly populations.

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Habitat management

Many dragonflies are at risk due to lack of management of wetland habitats and waterbodies. Lack of grazing, scrub clearance and desilting of ponds and ditches can result in a loss of open, vegetated wetland habitats. Existing habitats are often isolated and weaker flying species are unable to find new habitat.

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Invasive species

Species such as floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides) can choke ditches and make them unsuitable for dragonflies.  Eradication of this species on Exminster Marshes may have contributed to the colonisation by scarce chasers (see below).

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Habitat creation

Whilst many wetlands have been lost across Devon there are huge opportunities to create wetlands and ponds in urban and rural areas. Particular opportunities include the restoration of quarries (especially Lee Moor and Bovey Basin), peatland restoration on Dartmoor, agri-environment schemes, sustainable urban drainage schemes, green infrastructure schemes and also just everyone just digging more ponds!

See links below for more details relating to specific habitats.

2. What we need to do and where

Priority

Increase the abundance and distribution of dragonflies and damselflies across Devon, especially those listed as Focus Species.

See Find out more below for any relevant national and local targets.

Focus species

Southern damselfly

Coenagrion mercurial
Read more

Habitat

The southern damselfly occurs in shallow, slow moving, open heathland streams and runnels in valley mires and rush pastures where water flows all year and is less acidic that would be usually expected in these acid habitats. These conditions are rare making the species very vulnerable to local extinctions. They fly from late May to mid-August. The main threats to existing sites are lack of livestock grazing leading to scrub encroachment and changes to hydrological regimes leading to loss of water flows.

Population

In national and international terms this is the rarest dragonfly breeding in Devon. It and the majority of the habitats where it occurs are protected through legislation.

In Devon they are found on various commons on the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths. After the population at Venn Otter Common died out the UK’s first licence dragonfly re-establishment took place in 2009. Southern damselfly also occurs at a few sites fringing Dartmoor including on Rhos pastures at Tor View Moor near Whiddon Down, grassland at Gidleigh Common and Prewley Moor. They were once found in the Blackdown Hill mires at Southey Moor and Hense Moor but were lost, presumably due to lack of grazing and scrub encroachment. A re-introduction took place in 2015 from the New Forest, but this was not successful.   

Actions

  • Graze sites with southern damselflies to maintain shallow, open streams and runnels with a constant supply of clean water. Where needed carry out scrub control. 
  • Where possible expand existing sites and create new sites to expand populations and reduce isolation.
  • Research and implement re-introductions.
  • Continue to monitor the Devon population including through supporting work undertaken by the British Dragonfly Society.
  • See Heath, bog, mire and species-rich rush pasture for broader related actions.

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Areas:  Pebblebed Heaths, East Devon Spring-line mires, Dartmoor Rhos pastures. See Mapping.   (we can also refer to the relevant Dragonfly sites – to be added)

Norfolk hawker

Aeshna isoceles
Read more

Norfolk hawker

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Habitat

The Norfolk hawker prefers natural, unmanaged freshwater ditches and drainage channels and is often found in grazing marshes. It is also found in well vegetated lakes and ponds, often with a reedy fringe. They fly for a short period during June and the beginning of July.

Population

In recent decades the Norfolk hawker has expanded from its traditional East Anglian habitats across the UK.  In 2022 it was recorded breeding at Slapton Ley in south Devon, and it may well occur in other parts of the county. It has been recorded in Exminster Marshes and Lower Bruckland Nature Reserve near Seaton in East Devon.  It is listed as an endangered species.

Actions

Maintain healthy vegetated, unpolluted ditches (particularly in grazing marshes), lakes and ponds.

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Areas:  Slapton Ley (Brixham to Start Point Coastal Wildbelt), Exminster Marshes (in the Dawlish to Torbay Coastal Wildbelt) and Seaton Marshes (in the Sidmouth to Dorset Coastal Wildbelt)  See Mapping.  we can also refer to the relevant Dragonfly sites – to be added

Scarce blue-tailed damselfly

Ischnura pumilio
Read more

Habitat

This species is usually found in shallow wetland sites such as bog pools or slow flowing water with sparse vegetation cover. It therefore likes newly created open habitats and areas where habitat disturbance maintains open areas. It flies from June to August.

Population

This species is near threatened and has a nationally important population in Devon. The working and former clay pits in the Bovey Basin, Lee Moor and Meeth-Petrockstowe basin created perfect conditions, and these were once strongholds for this species. It is also found on muddy livestock trampled streams and ponds on Dartmoor moorland.

Actions

Graze sites existing and potential sites to maintain and create open pools and slow flowing water on moors and heathlands. Where needed carry out scrub control. 

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Areas: Southwest Dartmoor Downs (especially Lee Moor quarries) Bovey Basin heaths (particularly quarries) and North Devon Culm (including quarries in the Meeth-Petrockstowe basin). See Mapping.  we can also refer to the relevant Dragonfly sites – to be added)

Scarce chaser

Libellula fulva
Read more

Habitat

A species of lowland slower flowing rivers, streams, ditches, canals and pools with good water quality and lush emergent vegetation.

Population

This nationally near threatened species is a recent colonist to south Devon and was first recorded breeding on the Grand Western Canal in 2005. Other breeding records include

reported from habitats in the lower valley of the Exe (including Exminster Marshes), Clyst and Axe (including Lower Bruckland Nature Reserve) but it is likely to be breeding in other areas. The first suggestion of breeding around the head of the Exe Estuary came in 2007 from Exminster Marshes, where the eradication of the invasive alien Floating Pennywort Hydrocotyle ranunculoides by the Environment Agency is likely to have produced suitably open ditches

Actions

Maintain healthy unpolluted watercourses, ditches, lakes and ponds with both open water and emergent vegetation.

Control invasive aquatic plant species such as floating pennywort.

Where to focus action

High Opportunity Areas:  All existing watercourses, lakes and ponds, especially the Grand Western Canal, Exminster Marshes, Seaton Marshes.  See Mapping.  we can also refer to the relevant Dragonfly sites – to be added)

Actions for all dragonflies and damselflies

Habitat management and creation

Anyone who is managing or creating habitat for dragonflies and damselflies should be aware of their needs. For more detailed information see the list of Devon Species of Conservation Concern and Find out more below.

Dragonflies and damselflies are found in many habitats across Devon and will benefit from the actions set out on the Habitat pages. The key habitats are linked below:

Where to focus action

Species Opportunity Areas:  Dragonfly sites of national importance and Dragonfly sites of local importance.  See Mapping for the Viewer and Mapping Methodology.

3. Inspiration

Case studies

To be finalised following discussion through the public consultation.

Venn Ottery Common

Southern damselflies were successfully re-introduced to this DWT reserve by altering the structure of a drainage challenge into a network of braided, shallow runnels. (southern damsel management handbook.indd) (more information needed)

Grand Western Canal?

Quarries……?

Lower Bruckland Nature Reserve? – independent nature reserve and wedding venue.

Stover?

Where to visit

Always follow the Countryside Code and keep to footpaths and sites which are managed for public access. Please be mindful when visiting these spaces, and do not disturb or disrupt dragonflies or other wildlife.

Aylesbeare Common RSPB Reserve

A peaceful heathland where butterflies and dragonflies are commonly seen above streams.  A key area for southern damselflies

Bystock Ponds DWT Reserve

For information on visiting these and other sites see the Explore Devon website.

4. Find out more

National Biodiversity Network

An overview of Devon’s dragonflies has been produced by the Devon group of the British Dragonfly Society – Dragonflies of Devon, 2023. 

British Dragonfly Society – British Dragonfly Society: For information on a wide range of dragonflies, with maps of where to spot different species, and also information on habitats and threats.

The southern damsel management handbook.indd  – a handbook giving more information about the southern damselfly.

Dragonflies | Devon Wildlife Trust has much more information on dragonflies across Devon.

Dragonflies – Environment

Get involved in recording dragonflies in Devon by contacting the vice-county recorders, Dave Smallshire (VC3, VC4). Contact details can be found on the County Dragonfly Recorders page.

Southern Damselfly – Nature Back from the Brink : naturebftb.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Southern-Damselfly-BftB.pdf

Fantastic dragonflies and how to help them – Buglife Blog – Buglife

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