S. Barlow has been enjoying the first Emerald Damselflies of the year at Whixall Moss along with numerous White-faced Darters, Four-spotted Chasers and Azure, Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Large Red Damselflies. The male Emerald is shown here holding his wings at the characteristic 45 degree angle that explains the term ‘spreadwing’ used for this Family of damselflies.
This female Emerald Damselfly is not (unusually) holding her wings at 45 degrees but we can clearly see the differences with the male; no powder blue pruinescence, a broader abdomen and the presence of the ovipositor (and lack of male secondary genitalia under segment 2 of the abdomen).