Damsels

Local wildlife enthusiast, David Fordham took this photo of two red damsel flies feeling cooperative.

Damsel Flies are closely related to dragon flies but their bodies are needle thin and when at rest their wings are usually held along the body whereas dragon flies hold their wings out to the side.

Dragon Flies and Damsel Flies together make up the order Odonata and about 50 species have been recorded in the British Isles.  But my AIDGAP guide to dragons and damsels lists a mere 16 of the more common damsels, many of them brilliant fluorescent blue.  

Watch out for them near water.