Western demoiselle
Calopteryx xanthostoma
The western demoiselle or yellow-tailed demoiselle is a species of damselfly belonging to the family Calopterygidae. It replaces the banded demoiselle in southern France and the Iberian Peninsula, and is sometimes considered a subspecies of that species .
The male of ''C.xanthostoma'' generally has more extensive colouring in the wings than that of ''C.splendens'', usually reaching to the wingtips. Unlike ''C. splendens'', the males have clear wings when first emerging as adults, only developing the wing colour during the first week as an adult.
The colour of the underside of the tip of the abdomen is sometimes cited as an identification feature, being said to be yellowish in this species and whitish in ''C. splendens'', but some sources consider this to be unreliable. The metallic green, clear-winged females are virtually identical to female ''C. splendens'' and are difficult to separate, even in the hand.
This species is found in similar habitats to ''C. splendens'' but with a preference for larger watercourses.
The male of ''C.xanthostoma'' generally has more extensive colouring in the wings than that of ''C.splendens'', usually reaching to the wingtips. Unlike ''C. splendens'', the males have clear wings when first emerging as adults, only developing the wing colour during the first week as an adult.
The colour of the underside of the tip of the abdomen is sometimes cited as an identification feature, being said to be yellowish in this species and whitish in ''C. splendens'', but some sources consider this to be unreliable. The metallic green, clear-winged females are virtually identical to female ''C. splendens'' and are difficult to separate, even in the hand.
This species is found in similar habitats to ''C. splendens'' but with a preference for larger watercourses.
