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List of Odonata species of Ireland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dragonfly (top) and damselfly (bottom) wing shape and venation. Damselflies are also distinguished by the gap between their eyes, and the fact that they hold their wings folded back over the abdomen while at rest.

The following is a list of Odonata species recorded in Ireland. Common names are those given in the standard literature; where a different name has been given in The Natural History of Ireland's Dragonflies, this is given in brackets.[1] Most of these species are resident, others are vagrants and some have not been recorded since the nineteenth century.[2]

Two banded demoiselles (Calopteryx splendens) mating.

Family Calopterygidae (demoiselles)

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Family Lestidae (emerald damselflies)

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Family Coenagrionidae (blue, blue-tailed, and red damselflies)

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The Irish damselfly (Coenagrion lunulatum) is found in Ireland but not in Great Britain.

Family Gomphidae (club-tailed dragonflies)

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  • Common clubtail (club-tailed dragonfly) – Gomphus vulgatissimus. No modern records.

Family Aeshnidae (hawkers and emperors)

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Hairy dragonfly (Brachytron pratense)

Family Corduliidae (emerald dragonflies)

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Family Libellulidae (chasers, skimmers, and darters)

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A female keeled skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens). This species is common in wetlands, especially in Counties Galway, Kerry and Louth.

Discounted records

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The following species have been included in previous lists of Irish dragonflies, but are no longer regarded as having been reliably recorded:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Brian Nelson, Robert Thompson (2004). The Natural History of Ireland's Dragonflies. Ulster Museum. ISBN 978-0-900761-45-4.
  2. ^ "Species list for Odonata". www.habitas.org.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
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