Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis
Copper demoiselle
Description
Large damselfly, with wings tapering gradually toward the base. The male is brown-dark purple in colour. The wings are hyaline at the base, and the coloured portion extends from the end towards the base well beyond the node. The underside of the last three abdominal segments is characteristically karmine in colour which gave the name of the species, haemmorhoidalis)
The females can range from dark green to reddish brown in colour. Their wings are to a lesser extent opaque in colour than the males, only the tip is darker. The inner part of the female wing is hyaline or weakly coloured green or brown. Females have a white pseudopterostigma (false wing spot). In males the pterostigma is absent. Both sexes have black legs with reddish brown tibiae.
Regional differences in male body coloration occur, ranging from metallic black to metallic purple with red reflexions.
Behaviour
Like most damselfly, males strive for territory along suitable running waters, where they perch on side vegetation and make short flights to fight off other males or to court any passing female.
Distribution
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This species is a west Mediterranean endemic and is common in large parts of south-west Europe from Italy and southern France to the Iberian Peninsula, including islands of the western Mediterranean. The species does not reproduce on Malta. In Africa it occurs from Marocco to Tunisia.
Habitat
The species favours clear and well oxygenated streams and rivers, generally with a swift current and partly shaded, lightly wooded banks. It is restricted to low and middle elevations below 1 100 m. In the north and north-west of the Iberian Peninsula it is found only in very small streams close to the coast.