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Red-eyed Damselfly

Erythromma najas

Not yet photographed by the community

Bright red eyes; perches on floating lily pads.

Species Profile

Green List; stable and locally common in suitable habitat

Lifespan: 2–3 months as adults in the wild
Size & Weight: 28–34 mm body length; wingspan approximately 34–40 mm
Habitat: Still and slow-moving freshwater bodies with floating vegetation, including ponds, ditches, and canal margins.
UK Distribution: Southern England and Wales, with populations expanding northward; resident species with peak activity May to September.
Diet: Small flying insects captured in flight, including mosquitoes, gnats, and small flies.
Prey: Mosquitoes, midges, small flies, and other small aerial insects
Predators: Larger dragonflies, birds (particularly robins and wrens), spiders, and fish
Mating Season: May to September, with peak activity June to August
Breeding: Females lay eggs directly into floating plants or submerged vegetation; nymphs develop over 2–3 months; typically one generation per year in the UK
Behaviour: Males are highly territorial and perch on floating vegetation, defending feeding areas aggressively. They are distinctive for their bright red eyes and frequently hover close to the water surface. Mating pairs often remain tandem-coupled for extended periods.

Did You Know?

•The bright red eyes are a distinctive feature that gives the species its common name and are more prominent in males than females
•It is one of the few damselflies that regularly hunts from floating plants rather than reed stems
•Males can often be seen in 'tandem' formation with females, linked by the abdomen for up to several hours
•The species has expanded its UK range northward over recent decades, likely due to climate change and habitat creation
•Red-eyed Damselflies are relatively recent colonisers of the UK, having only become established since the 1990s

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