Large Red Damselfly
Pyrrhosoma nymphula
Length 35mm

A distinctive, bright red damselfly; abdomen marked with black, more extensive on female than male. Common and widespread across much of Britain and Ireland. Found in a wide variety of freshwater habitats including ponds, lakes, streams, canals and bogs. Flight rather weak and frequently settles on waterside vegetation. Often the first damselfly seen in spring and flies May-August.