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Large Red Damselfly

Pyrrhosoma nymphula

The Large Red Damselfly is a beautiful insect with bright red and black colors. It loves to flutter around near water, showing off its delicate wings in the sunshine.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Large Red Damselfly is a striking insect with a bright, fiery red body, especially on its abdomen, which features subtle black markings. It has four delicate, clear wings that are often tinged with amber near their base, and its prominent eyes are a reddish-brown hue.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyCoenagrionidaeGenusPyrrhosoma
Large Red Damselfly
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Large Red Damselfly

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Baby damselflies live underwater for up to two years!

Large Red Damselflies perform a unique 'mating wheel' shape!

Their clear wings can beat over 30 times a second!

They spend almost their whole adult life looking for food.

Special abilities

Ability

Super Sight

Large Red Damselflies have huge compound eyes that help them spot tiny flying insects in many directions at once.

Ability

Mid-air Snatcher

Large Red Damselflies can quickly grab small flying insects with their spiky legs, helping them secure a meal during flight.

Ability

Underwater Gills

Young Large Red Damselflies (nymphs) have external, feathery gills at their tail, which helps them breathe underwater.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
45-50 mm
Size
33-36 mm
Lifespan
14-21 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

These hungry hunters gobble up tiny flying insects like gnats and midges!

Age differences: Larvae (nymphs) eat tiny aquatic insects and crustaceans; adults eat flying insects.

Primary Foods

  • Gnats
  • Midges
  • Mosquitoes
  • Small flies
  • Aphids

Foraging Method

  • Pursuit

Ecological connections

hunts

Midge

Chironomus plumosus

a common tiny fly caught for food

eaten by

Common Frog

Rana temporaria

a quick meal for hungry amphibians

eaten by

Emperor Dragonfly

Anax imperator

larger predatory dragonflies occasionally hunt them

eaten by

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

their larvae provide food for fish

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Damselflies are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Large Red Damselfly's wingspan?

45-50 mm

How big is Large Red Damselfly?

33-36 mm

How long does Large Red Damselfly live?

14-21 days

How fast can Large Red Damselfly fly?

15 km/h

What does Large Red Damselfly eat?

These hungry hunters gobble up tiny flying insects like gnats and midges!

Where is Large Red Damselfly usually found?

Wetlands

How does Large Red Damselfly hunt?

Pursuit

How many legs does Large Red Damselfly have?

6

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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