{"id":117,"date":"2025-08-30T17:55:22","date_gmt":"2025-08-30T17:55:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/macrostock.eu\/?p=117"},"modified":"2025-08-30T17:55:22","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T17:55:22","slug":"beautiful-demoiselle-calopteryx-virgo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/macrostock.karits.eu\/index.php\/2025\/08\/30\/beautiful-demoiselle-calopteryx-virgo\/","title":{"rendered":"Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Download full size image<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\uddda\u200d\u2642\ufe0f Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Beautiful Demoiselle<\/strong> is a striking species of damselfly<\/strong> in the family Calopterygidae<\/strong>, found across much of Europe<\/strong> and parts of western Asia<\/strong>. It lives up to its name with glossy, metallic wings<\/strong> and elegant flight<\/strong>, often seen fluttering near clean, fast-flowing streams and rivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udd0d Identification<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Feature<\/th>Male<\/th>Female<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Size<\/strong><\/td>Body length: 45\u201349 mmWingspan: up to 70 mm<\/td>Slightly smaller than males<\/td><\/tr>
Color<\/strong><\/td>Metallic blue-green body<\/strong>Dark blue-black wings<\/strong><\/td>Metallic green-bronze body<\/strong>Smoky brown wings<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Eyes<\/strong><\/td>Blackish<\/td>Brownish<\/td><\/tr>
Flight<\/strong><\/td>Fluttering and butterfly-like<\/td>Slower, more delicate than dragonflies<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Males are often mistaken for the similar Banded Demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens<\/em>)<\/strong>, but their wings are entirely dark, not just banded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udf0d Habitat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  • Prefers clean, fast-flowing water<\/strong>: streams, rivers, forested brooks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Requires well-oxygenated water<\/strong> with gravel or stony beds<\/strong> for larvae.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Often found perching on vegetation<\/strong> near water’s edge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    \ud83d\udd01 Life Cycle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    1. Eggs<\/strong> laid on submerged aquatic plants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Nymphs (naiads)<\/strong> are aquatic and live for 1\u20132 years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Adults<\/strong> emerge between May and August<\/strong> (varies by region).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Short adult life: a few weeks to a couple of months.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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      \ud83d\udc98 Behavior & Mating<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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      • Males are territorial<\/strong> and perform elaborate courtship dances<\/strong>, fluttering around females to show off their wing color.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • After mating, females lay eggs underwater \u2014 often with males guarding them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Males often fight rivals<\/strong> for the best territory along a stream.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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        \ud83c\udf3f Conservation & Status<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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        • Considered locally common<\/strong> and not globally threatened.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • A good bioindicator species<\/strong>: its presence suggests high water quality<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Threats include:\n
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          • Water pollution<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Habitat loss<\/strong> (due to river modification)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Climate change<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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            \ud83e\udde0 Interesting Facts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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            • Unlike dragonflies, demoiselles<\/strong> fold their wings together above the body at rest.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Their metallic colors<\/strong> are not pigments but created by light interference<\/strong> on wing and body surfaces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • They’re often featured in folklore and poetry for their delicate, fairy-like appearance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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