Damselfly guards pulling pad

Down at the River Wreak a drama is unfolding. A female Banded demoiselle damselfly (Calopteryx splendens) is hoping to be noticed. The problem for her is that males of her species often spend so much time fighting that they forget the reason why they are so territorial. The best thing she can do is pick a prominent spot, and look good. Another problem is that the best spots are attractive to other damselflies and so to maintain her demure stance on a good lily leaf she must fight females of her species and others. Sounds brutal but, since damselflies are one of the most ancient species to exist on the planet, it must work.

Over viewing the scene are females of other species. This Common Blue Damselfly - (Enallagma cyathigerum) is waiting for the lily leaf to become vacant. Females of this species are white by the way, but the males are blue. You can see in the video a male of this species check out the female above but she rejects him as he is the wrong species. When a male Banded demoiselle eventually does come along she will relinquish her pulling pad to another damselfly. This one will ahve to wait her turn.

Thanks to user Dogghound at Wild About Britain for help with the identification of these species.