Southern Damselfly

Damselflies are some of the oldest insects, whose ancestors flew the earth over 300 million years ago.  The Southern Damselfly is small and delicate with a weak but graceful flight. It stays close to the water. In the UK it reaches the northwestern extreme of its range, and is largely restricted to the south west with two strongholds in the New Forest and Pembrokeshire. They rely on good water quality and indicate a healthy ecosystem. Due to habitat loss, the Southern Damselfly’s population has declined by 30% in the last fifty years.