Banded demoiselle

The banded demoiselle is a striking species of damselfly found across Eurasia, from the Atlantic coast to Lake Baikal and northwestern China. These beautiful insects prefer the tranquil environments of slow-flowing streams and rivers and are quite common throughout their range.

Male banded demoiselles are easily recognizable by their translucent wings, each adorned with a dark, iridescent blue-black spot. Females, on the other hand, have pale green iridescent wings with a distinctive white patch near the tip. During reproduction, females can lay up to 10 eggs per minute over a span of 45 minutes. These eggs typically hatch in about 14 days.

The larvae of the banded demoiselle take around two years to develop, often residing in muddy waters where they can safely overwinter by burying themselves in the mud. These damselflies are found in various freshwater habitats, particularly those with open, running water like streams and smaller rivers.

Male banded demoiselles are known for their territorial nature and unique courtship ritual, which involves an impressive aerial display to attract females. This species is widespread and can be seen in many regions, including Russia, Serbia, and the British Isles.