numerous accounts of it in the literature. In view of an observation by B. and J. Bailey
(1985) of terrestrial feeding by the nymph of the closely related C. virgo, observations by
P. Wilson (pers. comm.) of three larval exuviae of C. splendens found ten feet high on an
alder tree seem of interest. The recorded flight period of C. splendens in Essex is from the
last week in May through to the first week in September (this latter date, is it should be
noted, an exceptionally late one.).
H. Doubleday (1871) declared the species 'common over small running streams' in
the Epping district, whilst according to W. H. Harwood (1903) it 'abounds beside ditches
and streams in all directions'. Calopteryx splendens appeared sporadically on Epping
Forest lists subsequent to Doubleday's (Syms, 1929; Pinniger, 1933; Longfield, 1949 b;
and in Hammond's unpublished notes). Longfield (1949 b) said that it 'breeds freely in
some of the ponds in Epping Forest', and there are subsequent reports of C. splendens
associated, unusually, with still-water habitat both in Epping Forest (E. P. Ryan, Wake
Valley Pond, 1982 and 1983, Lower Forest lake, 1984 (E.F.C.C. records)) and elsewhere
(R. Strachan. Rivenhall lake, 1981. pers. comm.). Calopteryx splendens does not appear to
have been a common insect in Epping Forest since Doubleday's time, and it seems
likely that most sightings in the forest are wanderers from nearby strongholds on the
rivers Lee and Roding or their tributaries, or periodic brief colonisations of relatively
unsuitable habitat. However, M. W. Hanson noted three males and one female at the
Loughton Brook near Staples Road in June 1980 and this could indicate the continued
existence of a breeding colony of this species in the Forest.
Elsewhere in Essex C. splendens was said to be common on the rivers Lee and Roding
(Pinniger, 1934 b, 1935 and 1937), D. A. Ashwell collected it on the Chelmer/Blackwater
48