NBN Atlas
A Dot on a Map
A dot on a map can tell us a story. This dot is special, it tells us that ‘Calopteryx splendens’ was recorded around Douglas in August 2022.
Calopteryx splendens is also known as the 'banded demoiselle', one of Britain’s most stunning insects. This shimmering damselfly is fairly common along slow moving, unpolluted streams in Britain. Where larger groups gather, the sight is magical.
Pete Hadfield, the Isle of Man dragonfly recorder, received this record for a male perched on a car in the Agrimark car-park. He verified the record (to make sure it was correct) and the record then finds its way in to 'NBN atlas', where anyone can see it. The Isle of Man is well covered by NBN Atlas and even has its own portal (https://isleofman.nbnatlas.org/).
Calopteryx splendens is also known as the 'banded demoiselle', one of Britain’s most stunning insects. This shimmering damselfly is fairly common along slow moving, unpolluted streams in Britain. Where larger groups gather, the sight is magical.
Pete Hadfield, the Isle of Man dragonfly recorder, received this record for a male perched on a car in the Agrimark car-park. He verified the record (to make sure it was correct) and the record then finds its way in to 'NBN atlas', where anyone can see it. The Isle of Man is well covered by NBN Atlas and even has its own portal (https://isleofman.nbnatlas.org/).
Psubraty
How our Agrimark damselfly got here is another question. Pete suggests it is a possible stowaway from plant shipment, but could it have flown here? The British Dragonfly Society reports that this species only colonised Scotland in 2002 and if you look at the map, it has already made it north of Edinburgh and there is one record in the Highlands!
Like many warmth-loving, flying insects, the changing climate has allowed for rapid northward range expansion. However it got here, the fact that this one was a male would suggest that this time it will be a failed colonisation attempt. But I doubt it will be the last.
As exciting as seeing new beautiful creatures is, it is sobering to think that the succession of warm, dry springs has almost pushed the black darter dragonfly to extinction on the Island as its upland peaty pools dry out.