to report that it is still holding on well in its
known Essex localities, and has been discovered in
a number of new sites. So far we have records from
13 10 km. squares well spread out across the county.
Our most familiar damselfly is the ubiquitous 'blue-
tailed' damselfly (Ishnura elegans). So far recorded
from 29 10 km. squares in the county, but quite
possibly occurring in all of them. It seems to inhabit
all kinds of aquatic habitat and is quite tolerant of
pollution. Superficially quite similar, but rather
larger, and with prominent red eyes, is the 'red eyed
damselfly' (Erythromma najas). Though there are a
few old records for this species, it wasn't until
1982 in the present phase of survey work that this
species turned up: it is now known to occur in three
localities widely spread out across the county.
No doubt it remains very much under-recorded.
Another small, predominantly blue damselfly worthy
of mention is the 'white legged damselfly' (Platycnemis
pennipes). This species, too, was not re-discovered
till 1982, and is still recorded from only two localities
in mid-Essex.
The so-called 'large red damselfly' (Pyrrhosoma nymphula)
is another distinctive damselfly - the only red
damselfly likely to be met in Essex. Nationally
one of our commonest species, it is widespread in
Essex (13 10 km. squares so far), but quite local. It
occurs in flooded pits, coastal marshes, and also
breeds in quite swift rivers and streams. The green
lestes (Lestes sponsa) is a fine green damselfly
with (in the male) two pale blue patches on the abdomen.
Unlike most other damselflies, it often settles with
the wings spread out, rather as the dragonflies do.
It is considerably more local than the large red damsel-
fly, but still well-established, especially in coastal
marshes, where is favours dykes and ponds which are ail-
but choked with reeds and other emergent vegetation.
Finally, we come to what are probably the most