Willow emerald damselfly (Chalcolestes viridis)

The Willow emerald damselfly is a recent colonist, with numbers recorded increasing since 2009. It spends much of its time in the trees, laying its eggs into the bark of willow or alder. It can be found near ponds, canals and other still waterbodies that have overhanging trees. As with other damselflies, when Willow emeralds mate they form a ‘mating wheel’ in which the male clasps the female by the neck and she bends her body around to his reproductive organs. It is on the wing during August and September.