Cornish Biodiversity Network  -  Supporting Wildlife Recording

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Cornish Red Data (2009)

The descriptive text, below the map, is from the Cornish Red Data Book (2009). The map on this web page depicts the organisms distribution and shows the records made pre-2000 and those made since.

Erythromma najas - Red-eyed Damselfly



Range & Status

Locally common in southern England and south-west Wales, this species becomes increasingly uncommon in south-west England. However, there is evidence of a move south-westwards and it now occurs in Devon; the nearest colony to Cornwall is Stover Country Park near Newton Abbot.

Regional Distribution

There are a number of unconfirmed records from Cornwall, but it has yet to have a

confirmed record in the Duchy.

Habitat & Ecology

The Red-eyed Damselfly favours still water habitats with large expanses of floating vegetation. It can also be found on slow moving streams and canals where water movement is sluggish enough to encourage plants with floating leaves.

Threats

Clearance of most of the floating vegetation or an increase in water velocity will have a negative effect on the success of this species.

Conservation

Given the species move westwards, it should be looked for in suitable habitat in the east Cornwall. It is classified as a ' key site' indicator should it be discovered.

Source:

I.J. Bennallick, S. Board, C.N. French, P.A. Gainey, C. Neil, R. Parslow, A. Spalding and P.E. Tompsett. eds. 2009. Red Data Book for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. 2nd Edition.Croceago Press.

The Cornish Red Data Book Project was led by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Federation for Biological Recorders (CISFBR). The full text and species accounts (minus the maps) are available on the CISFBR website.