Large Red Damselfly
Pyrrhosoma nymphula
The Large Red Damselfly is a robust damselfly known for its bright red coloration and black legs. It belongs to the family Coenagrionidae and is one of the earliest species to emerge in spring. Males are predominantly red, whereas females exhibit various color morphs ranging from mostly red to predominantly black with red markings. It inhabits a wide range of still and slow-flowing waters with abundant vegetation.
Details
Identification
Red body, black legs, black wing spot (pterostigma), yellow antehumeral stripes in immature individuals.
Social behavior
Males hold small territories at the water's edge; mating takes place in tandem flight.
Diet
Predatory; larvae feed on water fleas, insect larvae, and tadpoles; adults hunt small flying insects.
Hunting strategy
Larvae are ambush predators; adults are visual hunters catching prey in flight or from perches.
Spawning substrate
Living aquatic plants or floating plant material (endophytic oviposition).
Overwintering
Overwintering occurs as larvae in the water, usually in the last or penultimate larval stage.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important predator in aquatic and terrestrial edge ecosystems; serves as prey for birds and amphibians.
Natural predators
Birds (e.g., wagtails), larger dragonflies, frogs, spiders.
Competitor species
Other damselflies such as the Azure Damselfly (Coenagrion puella).
Ecosystem service
Control of mosquito populations through predation.
Threats
Destruction of small water bodies, eutrophication due to fertilizer input, desiccation of peat bogs.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
Key feature to distinguish from the Small Red Damselfly (Ceriagrion tenellum) are the black legs (C. tenellum has red legs) and the black markings on the abdominal segments. Additionally, Pyrrhosoma nymphula has a dark pterostigma.
Role in food web
Mesopredator in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems; regulates insect populations and serves as prey for higher predators.
Protection & threats
Main threats
Destruction of small water bodies, eutrophication due to fertilizer runoff from agriculture, drainage of bogs, and climate change.
Population trend
Stable; the species is widespread and common in Central Europe.
Conservation measures
Preservation and creation of small water bodies, protection of bogs, establishment of buffer strips to reduce nutrient input.