Downy Emerald

Distribution: The Downy Emerald is one of the recording success stories of the last decade in Wiltshire. The only records before 1997 was a record from Chippenham in June 1940 and from Braydon Pond on 20th June 1964. In 1997 records were received from the voluntary wardens of Blackmoor Copse WWT reserve, which stated that Downys had been present at the reserve’s pond since 1995 as a response to woodland clearance the previous winter letting in more sunlight. The County recorder visited the site and confirmed its presence. Then, later that year at a County Recorders meeting, a chance comment led to the discovery of an environmental report for Stourhead NT site which mentioned the presence of Downy Emerald on the ornamental lakes in 1990. A visit in June 1998 confirmed a strong colony which had obviously been present for some years.

Identification: The Downy Emerald is a medium sized metallic green dragonfly, it is one of only four species of emerald dragonfly found in the UK. However, of the other three, one is extinct, one is restricted to the highlands of Scotland and the final one is restricted in England to the South East. Therefore any emerald dragonfly found in Wiltshire is likely to be this species. The male and female are similar.

County Status: Uncommon.