Atlas of the European dragonflies and damselflies
Abstract
This work is the first detailed and comprehensive overview of the distribution of the dragonflies and damselflies of Europe. It is an important milestone for professionals and amateurs alike. Covers the distribution and habitat selection of all 143 European species of dragonflies and damselflies. Gives a complete description of their global and European distribution, illustrated by over 200 distribution maps. Gives for each species information on taxonomy, range, population trends, flights season and habitat. Includes unique photos and flight season diagrams for virtually all European species. Contains extensive background information on taxonomy, conservation, and for each country an overview of the history of odonatological studies. The book is the result of a co-operation of over 50 European dragonfly experts who over the past decade compiled all records of dragonflies and damselflies, from the Azores to the Ural and from the North Cape to Lampedusa. These records were gathered by thousands of volunteers from across Europe. This endeavour was coordinated by Jean- Pierre Boudot (Société Française d’Odonatologie) and Vincent Kalkman (European Invertebrate Survey – Netherlands/Naturalis Biodiversity Centre).
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... Enallagma cyathigerum, or Coenagrion puella, which are widespread habitat generalists (Boudot and Kalkman 2015). This pattern indicates the homogenization of the assemblages, which has been reported by many studies (e.g., Assandri 2021;Ball-Damerow et al. 2014;Powney et al. 2015), in accordance with a global trend of functional homogenization of biodiversity across ecosystems (Clavel et al. 2011). ...
... This pattern indicates the homogenization of the assemblages, which has been reported by many studies (e.g., Assandri 2021;Ball-Damerow et al. 2014;Powney et al. 2015), in accordance with a global trend of functional homogenization of biodiversity across ecosystems (Clavel et al. 2011). Analysis of speciesspecific responses searching for species significantly associated with either past or present confirmed this pattern only partially; Sympetrum vulgatum (habitat generalist), S. flaveolum (generalist), Somatochlora metallica (generalist), and L. rubicunda (specialist; all according to Boudot and Kalkman 2015) were significantly associated with the past, while S. striolatum (generalist) with the present. Nevertheless, the explanation may lie in the species' thermal preferences; past-associated species' STI (average temperature of the European part of the species' range) was lower than 7.8, while that of S. striolatum equals 10.82. ...
... In odonates, body coloration is closely linked with a thermal adaptation of the species, but this trait is closely associated with body size (Acquah-Lamptey et al. 2020), which proved insignificant in our analyses. Therefore, this correlation can be attributed to the strong increase in abundance/ occupancy of Libellula depressa and Orthetrum albistylum, both Ponto-Mediterranean gray-blue generalist species that expand northward, corroborating their pioneer nature (Boudot and Kalkman 2015). Furthermore, traits related to ecological sensitivity and conservation priorities-DBI, ERL, and habitat specialization-were strongly and significantly negatively correlated with traits indicative of warm-adapted, generalist species: STI, Ponto-Mediterranean faunistic type, and gray-blue coloration. ...
Freshwater diversity is declining at an alarming rate worldwide, and climate change is a key driver. However, attributing biological shifts solely to climate warming remains challenging because of confounding anthropogenic stressors. Peatbogs, being highly conserved, strictly protected, and minimally disturbed, offer a unique study system to isolate climate effects. We compared odonate assemblages in 27 Central European raised and transitional bogs between two sets of standardized surveys approximately 20 years apart (1998–2006 and 2020–2024). During this period, the mean annual air temperature has increased by 1.23°C. We tracked species richness, composition, taxonomic diversity, and functional traits (thermal tolerance, conservation value indicators, and selected morphological and life‐history traits) and also examined phylogenetic patterns of species turnover. Although species richness remained stable, assemblage composition shifted markedly from cold‐adapted, vulnerable bog specialists toward warm‐adapted habitat generalists with lower conservation value. Notably, Ponto‐Mediterranean species and those with a lower upper elevational limit increased their occupancy. Although the phylogenetic signal across the evolutionary tree of odonates was low, implying that the responses of the species to climate change were independent of their phylogenetic position, we revealed frequent genus‐level replacements. These findings reinforce the position of odonates as a model group for detecting climate‐driven changes in freshwater communities. Our study has revealed that climate warming alone can trigger profound reorganization of insect communities in inherently stable peatbog habitats. Specific traits linked to vulnerability (e.g., thermal index, red list status) and specialization proved to be promising predictors of future shifts in odonatofauna of temperate peatlands. The pronounced changes documented here may precede irreversible transformations of these unique ecosystems, highlighting the urgency of monitoring bog habitats and maintaining their stability under ongoing global change.
... ( -2024 and ANCPI (2019ANCPI ( -2024. The nomenclature follows Boudot and Kalkman (2015). ...
... All exuviae are in my personal collection. The 23 species I observed correspond to ca. 32 % of the 71 species mentioned for Romania(Manci 2012;Boudot and Kalkman 2015;Wildermuth and Martens 2019), ca. 43 % of the 53 species mentioned for Iaşi County ...
From 21‑vi to 29‑vi‑2024 I made an odonatological study trip to Iaşi County, northeastern Romania. During this trip I examined 39 sites of both standing and flowing water and noticed 23 species of Odonata. Many sites are threatened by littering and drying out. The results of the trip demonstrate the summer aspect of the Southeast European dragonfly and damselfly fauna; neither spring nor autumn species were observed. Interesting from a faunistic point of view are the very early observation of immature Sympecma fusca at two sites, the northernmost record of Somatochlora meridionalis east of the Carpathians, and the almost complete absence of species of the genera Lestes, Aeshna, Gomphus s.l., Libellula and Sympetrum. The mentions of some species in the literature are critically examined.
... Based on Boudot et al. (1990), it can be divided into three subspecies, O. f. forcipatus (Linnaeus, 1758), O. f. unguiculatus (Vander Linden, 1823) and O. f. albotibialis Schmidt, 1954, with distribution ranges that do not overlap except in some small areas, e.g., in South East France and Northern Spain (Mezquita-Aranburu & Torralba-Burrial, 2015), where the first two live in sympatry. It is the most common and widespread gomphid in Europe (Boudot & Kalkman, 2015;Schneider & Dumont, 2015). ...
... The channel substrate is usually a mixture of sand, gravel and cobbles. It is general-ly found in the lowland and up to mid-mountain in southern Europe (1200 m a.s.l.) and the Maghreb (1600 m a.s.l.) (Boudot & Kalkman, 2015). ...
Geographic variation in life history traits of dragonflies has been extensively studied, mainly along latitudinal clines, but life history variation at a local scale has received less attention. We describe the life cycle differences between two populations of Onychogomphus forcipatus unguiculatus (Odonata: Gomphidae) located in close proximity in a small Mediterranean river basin in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. While the larval growth pattern recorded in the middle course of the river showed an exclusively univoltine pattern, the one found in one of its tributaries revealed a mixed pattern of uni- and semivoltinism. The difference in water temperature between these sites, especially during the cold months, is probably the environmental factor underlying the differences in voltinism. Given the spatial proximity between the two populations, 7.5 km apart on a straight line, our finding suggests phenotypic plasticity of this taxon as the mechanism of adjustment of its life cycle to small variations in water temperature. Overall, our results may help to understand how this species can respond to variations in water temperature under climate change or other human-mediated impacts.
... The damselfly was discovered in typical habitat for the species but was only noted on one day; further details of the find are given in Crow (2022). S. fusca is perhaps a potential future colonist to southern England; it is currently widespread on the near Continent and in recent years has spread as far north as southern Sweden (Boudot & Kalkman, 2015). ...
... A male Crocothemis erythraea was photographed at Minsmere, Suffolk, on 28 July (LC); this is only the 12th confirmed British record, all since 1995. Given that, as a consequence of recent range expansions, C. erythraea has now become a reasonably common breeder on the near Continent (Boudot & Kalkman, 2015), the species seems a potential future colonist to Britain. Perhaps the fact that all British records currently relate to solitary males might in part explain the delay in colonisation. ...
In Britain, the year 2022 started dramatically, with the country's second-ever record of Sympecma fusca being made near Hedge End, Hampshire, on 5 May; despite the species' current rarity, it may be a potential future colonist. Later highlights included the continuing rapid internal spread of Aeshna isoceles, with an apparent new breeding colony being found at Slapton Ley in Devon and with wandering individuals being noted in Somerset, Wiltshire, north Hampshire and, remarkably, near Wigan in south Lancashire. The discovery of a male Crocothemis erythraea at Minsmere, Suffolk, on 28 July, and the sighting of a male Sympetrum flaveolum at Kilnsea Wetlands near Spurn, East Yorkshire, on 5 September, were also of considerable interest. The record of S. flaveolum is the first in Britain for nearly a decade. Meteorologically, summer 2022 was notable for periods of high temperatures and drought over large parts of western Europe. This clearly had an impact on events in the dragonfly world, with seemingly both positive and negative consequences for migration. All of our commoner recent 'traditional' migrants such as Aeshna affinis, Anax parthenope, Anax ephippiger and Sympetrum fonscolombii apparently showed influxes during the year, though the growing strength of resident populations of the former two species here made detailed analysis difficult. The numbers of individuals seen were, however, generally unspectacular with the exception of A. parthenope, which had a record-breaking season. Much of this good showing by A. parthenope seemingly reflected good local breeding, though there were several unexpected records, particularly from northern England and Scotland, that imply that some long-distance movement also took place.
... Recent sightings include Abruzzo and Molise (Corso et al. 2019b), and in Latium's northern provinces of Rome and Viterbo, with only one historic sighting on the Garigli-ano river shore (Castellani 1951;Riservato et al. 2014). The Bladetail, Lindenia tetraphylla (Vander Linden, 1825), is an Irano-Turanian species ranging from Central Asia to Arabia (Boudot & Kalkman 2015;Kolev & Boudot 2018). Its distribution extends from Western Pakistan to the Caucasus, the Levant, Turkey, and sporadically into Europe, notably in the Balkan Peninsula (Kolev & Boudot 2018;Dijkstra & Schröter 2021). ...
... Its distribution extends from Western Pakistan to the Caucasus, the Levant, Turkey, and sporadically into Europe, notably in the Balkan Peninsula (Kolev & Boudot 2018;Dijkstra & Schröter 2021). Highly mobile, adults are known to travel long distances from their breeding grounds (Boudot & Kalkman 2015). Preferring medium to large lakes with open surroundings, it often inhabits areas with Phragmites australis and Typha sp. ...
This paper provides new data on the following four species of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata Coenagrionidae, Gomphidae, Synthemistidae, Cordulegastridae), which contribute to updating their known distribution in central-southern Italy: Coenagrion castellani Roberts 1948, Lindenia tetraphylla (Vander Linden 1825), Oxygastra curtisii (Dale, 1834) and Cordulegaster trinacriae Waterston, 1976. These species are all included in Annexes II and IV of the Habitat Directive 92/43/EC. New sites of C. castellani and C. trinacriae were discovered in the Latium, Campania, Abruzzo and Molise regions, while the presence of O. curtisii was observed in Molise and southern Latium, after a 70-year absence of records. Lindenia tetraphylla was observed at two new sites in southern Apulia. The presence of populations morphologically attributable to C. trinacriae was confirmed in southern Latium, reaching at least the Liri river (FR). Some bibliographic sites of C. castellani, C. trinacriae and L. tetraphylla were also confi rmed. All the sites were listed and mapped, accompanied by brief data on habitat types and on their inclusion within Natura 2000 network sites. Information on persistent threats to these sites is provided, along with conservation notes.
... For example, the German Red List included the category R, defined as "very rare". Species in this category were excluded from our DBI list due to their minimal distribution, after verifying their occurrence patterns in Germany using more recent data from the Atlas of the European dragonflies and damselflies (Boudot and Kalkman, 2015). In the Slovenian Red List, the R category, described as "rare or rarity", was treated as CR due to the species' rare and isolated occurrence. ...
... Three species of Anax can be found to co-exist in e.g. Queensland (Australia) or southern Europe (Theischinger et al. 2021, Boudot & Kalkman 2015. Both new species appear darker than any other regional Anax. ...
Species of the cosmopolitan genus Anax Leach, 1815 are among the largest dragonflies and the most powerful flyers. Within the genus the proportion between body length and wing and the body shape of both sexes are of great taxonomic importance. Here we describe two new Anax species: Anax insulanus sp. nov., from the Solomon Islands and A. tonga sp. nov., from Tonga. To distinguish both species from a very similar sympatric congener we compare the S3 Index which is defined as the relative length and width at its narrowest point of abdominal segment 3. Anax fumosus celebense Lieftinck, 1942 is raised to species level. Diagnostic characters of male and female (if available) are illustrated. A key is presented for the identification of the males of the 14 species of Anax known to occur in the Australian, the Oceanian and the south of the Indomalayan Biogeographical Realms.
Given their sensitivity to environmental alterations, odonates act as reliable bioindicators of possible changes in freshwater ecosystems and associated terrestrial habitats. The geographical area spanning from Carini to Trapani and Sciacca (Provinces of Palermo, Trapani, and Agrigento - Sicily, Italy) is largely urbanized, and its territory is heavily altered, especially in proximity to the seacoast at low altitude. Despite this pervasive anthropization, the area is still characterized by a variety of freshwater habitats, possibly harboring rich odonate assemblages that, however, have never been thoroughly investigated. This study, aimed at producing the first commented checklist of the Odonata of this area enriched by distribution maps, is based on 2951 records, derived from the literature (n=293), citizen-science projects (n=102), and unpublished data mainly collected by the author and spanning from 2015 to 2023 (n=2556). Despite being densely populated, strongly urbanized, agriculturally exploited, and characterized by scarce and altered heterogeneous freshwater habitats, the geographical area encompassed in this study still hosts a remarkable diversity of Odonata. Indeed, 39 species observed in the study area represent almost half (41%) of the species ever recorded in Italy (n=95) and 27% of those recorded in Europe (n=146). Despite extensive research, two species reported in the bibliography, namely Lestes dryas and Aeshna cyanea have not been contacted.
Lucrarea include descrierea biologiei și ecologiei a 55 de specii de libelule, 47 dintre care au fost deja confirmate în Republica Moldova, iar prezența altor 8 specii este posibilă pe teritoriul țării. Libelulele sunt un grup de insecte extrem de important pentru funcționarea ecosistemelor, fiind un bun indicator al stării sănătății lor. Uscarea zonelor umede, degradarea și poluarea bazinelor acvatice duce la reducerea numărului de libelulele, și, în consecință, la dezvoltarea unui număr mare de insecte hematofage, precum sunt țânțarii, purtători ai unor boli periculoase ca malaria, diverse febre (Dengue, galbenă, Zika, West Nile), encefalita ecvină ș.a., în regiunile cu climă tropicală, iar mai recent, în urma încălzirii globale, chiar și în regiunile cu climă temperată. Ghidul este adresat unui cerc larg de cititori entomologi, biologi, ecologi, profesori din cadrul instituțiilor de învățământ universitar și preuniversitar, elevilor, studenților pasionați de natură și insecte. Lucrarea a fost publicată în cadrul subprogramului „Evaluarea structurii și funcționării lumii animale și ecosistemelor acvatice sub influența factorilor biotici și abiotici în contextul asigurării securității ecologice și bunăstării populației” 010701.
From May 30th to 2nd June 2024, the participants of the 20th Symposium of the Odonatological Section of the Polish Entomological Society conducted field observations on dragonflies and damselflies in the Wdzydze Landscape Park (WPK) (N Poland). A total of 15 sites were visited and 35 species were recorded, 34 of them being autochthonous or probably auto-chthonous. Detailed comments are provided for 13 species, distinguished for their 1) legal pro-tection (Ophiogomphus cecilia, Cordulegaster boltonii, Leucorrhinia albifrons, L. caudalis, L. pectoralis), 2) threat status at the continental scale and/or within the European Union (Lestes sponsa, Coenagrion hastulatum, Aeshna grandis, Somatochlora metallica, Leucorrhinia albifrons, L. dubia, L. rubicunda), 3) role as umbrella species (Onychogomphus forcipatus, O. cecilia and C. boltonii for small forest streams; L. albifrons, L. dubia and L. pectoralis for Sphagnum peat bogs) and/or 4) rarity in this area (Crocothemis erythraea). The results emphasize the high value of the WPK in terms of species diversity, the numerous records of protected and endangered species, as well as the scarcity of “southern” species not yet fully established in this area. Fur-thermore, the species composition of its dragonfly fauna has remained remarkably stable over the past twenty years, demonstrating the area’s great resilience to unfavourable climate trends. This resilience is likely to be critical for the maintenance of populations of odonate species par-ticularly sensitive to such changes.
The year 2010 was a relatively low-key one for many of our commoner migrant
species but some highly noteworthy events took place with rarer species.
Literally dozens of Southern Migrant Hawker Aeshna affinis were seen in
southeast England during late July-August, principally around the Thames
Estuary. With oviposition being noted, it is even possible that local breeding
populations may become established. Southeast England also saw several
records of Southern Emerald Damselfly Lestes barbarus during the year, as
well as the discovery of new sites for Willow Emerald Damselfly Lestes viridis
away from the recently-established Suffolk population. Perhaps the highlight of
the year was the re-discovery of Dainty Damselfly Coenagrion scitulum, after an
absence from the UK of nearly 60 years. Arrivals of this species must however
have taken place prior to 2010, since, in addition to adults, small numbers of
exuviae were also discovered, indicating that successful breeding had already
taken place. Clearly Britain's dragonfly fauna is currently going through a period
of considerable flux.
First record of Ceriagrion tenellum in Brandenburg (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)-In 2008 C. tenellum was recorded for the first time in Brandenburg, northeastern Ger-many. The circumstances of the record-a single male only-and the water body are briefly described. The species, which has chiefly an Atlantic and western Mediterranean distribution, benefited from the milder winters during recent years and was observed increasingly at the eastern fringe of its area. The distances to the closest known localities in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-West Pomerania were 50 to 85 km. Hence, other hitherto undiscovered occurrences can be expected.
Zusammenfassung
Im Jahr 2008 wurde Ceriagrion tenellum anhand eines einzelnen Männchens erstmals in Brandenburg nachgewiesen. Die Fundumstände und das Fundgewässer werden kurz erläutert. Die atlantisch-westmediterran verbreitete Art profitierte in den letzten Jahren von den milderen Wintern und wurde vermehrt an ihrem östlichen Arealrand beobachtet. Die nächsten aktuell bekannten Fundorte der als eher ausbreitungsschwach eingestuften Art liegen in Sachsen-Anhalt und Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 50 bis 85 km entfernt. Es wird daher von weiteren unentdeckten Vorkommen ausgegangen.
A list of hitherto unpublishedrecords is provided, based on data collected by several workers. Altogether, 34 spp. from 8 Portuguese districts are mentioned.
Seventeen species of odonates have been recorded on the Maltese Islands of which Pantala flavescens represents a new record. Diagnostic features of the adult and larval stages of these species are described in this work. The work also combines findings from previous literature on Maltese Odonata with information gathered from fieldwork data in order to give an insight on the current situation of the Odonata of the Maltese Islands and serves as an identification guide to both adults and larvae of these insects. The anatomy and physiology of the larval and adult forms of these insects, which are discussed in this work, are adapted to the predatory lifestyle which they lead. The fact that odonate larvae frequent different habitats from adults helps to reduce competition for resources. Adult odonates can be found in a number of local habitats, mostly near freshwater but also brackish water bodies since freshwater is a scarce natural resource on the Maltese Islands. Global warming is affecting the distribution range of odonates in the Mediterranean-while some species may be on the decline, others which can thrive in hot dry environments are progressively being recorded in the Mediterranean and southern Europe, including the Maltese Islands. Relatively little work on the Odonata of the Maltese Islands has been done previous to the present work. Most of this involves listing of locally recorded species; very little research investigates odonate behaviour and distribution. No information exists as to why species such as Sympetrum striolatum, and Orthetrum cancellatum have become progressively uncommon in recent years, and therefore more research is required on the matter. Because of limiting water resources, freshwater habitats on the Maltese Islands are quickly drained of water, which may be used for agricultural purposes. This may tend to reduce species richness of local odonates. Biologists are now considering dragonflies as biological indicators of a healthy environment and make recommendations in order to preserve the habitats frequented by these insects. KEY WORDS. Biology, habitats, global warming, human impact, Pantala flavescens. PREAMBLE. Dragonflies and damselflies are insects which, though relatively easy to observe, have not been extensively studied on the Maltese Islands. They are beautiful creatures, and because, as recent research has revealed, they can be used as bio indicators as well as monitors of the quality of freshwater habitats, they are worth preserving as part of the local natural ecosystems. The main aim of this work is to give a detailed overview of the Odonata of the Maltese Islands, as well as to serve as an identification guide for the species. It first gives an account of the anatomy, biology and aspects of the ecology of the organisms, and then describes each locally recorded
In July 2009 the damselfly Erythromma lindenii was recorded for the first time in Czech Republic. The locality may be found in northern Bohemia (the Liberec region) and it is a pond called Horní Kunratický rybník near the village of Kunratice u Cvikova. It is a mesotrophic pond of 0,07 km 2 at 350 m above sea level with submerged vegetation dominated by Myriophyllum spicatum and a narrow zone of litoral vegetation. It is located approx. 65 km SE from the nearest known locality-Knappensee-in Saxony.
In den Sommermonaten des Jahres 1986 und 1987 wurde die Schlupfrate der Späten Adonislibelle, Ceriagrion tenellum (De Villers, 1789) an einem Löschteich im Naturschutzgebiet Lüsekamp/Boschbeektal im Naturpark Schwalm-Nette untersucht. C. tenellum schlüpfte über einen Zeitraum von etwa 70 Tagen von Ende Mai/Anfang Juni bis August. In Jahren mit kalten Mai- und Junimonaten verzögert sich der Schlupfbeginn. In den Populationen 1986 und 1987 trat jeweils ein signifikanter Männchenüberschuß von 54,5% (1986) und 58,9% (1987) während der Emergenzperiode auf. Der Schlupf der Männchen und Weibchen von C. tenellum erfolgte zeitlich synchron. 1987 konnten im Durchschnitt 66,3 Exuvien pro 3 m Uferlänge gesammelt werden, wobei einige Uferabschnitte deutlich unter dem Durchschnitt lagen.