View Single Post
  #3   Report Post  
Old 13-06-2006, 06:28 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening,uk.rec.natural-history
Brian
 
Posts: n/a
Default Damselflys, good for gardens?


"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...
((X Posted))
Noticed on our new allotment that we have an enormous number of

Damselflies
flying about and resting on the plants. Some are Large Reds (easy ID) but

a
high proportion of others are brown with clear wings. The nearest water is
the tiny River Bourne which runs alongside the site.
I understand Damselflies are carnivores so should I welcome them as

another
predator of aphids etc? I must admit that other than Flea Beetle there
hasn't been much insect pest about other than something nasty which

attacked
me yesterday judging by the sore red lumps on ankle and elbow. :-(

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
17mls W. of London.UK

~~~~~~~~~~~~
The imagines [adults] of these insects don't need to feed in
the conventional way. They are only designed to look for egg laying sites.
The nymph stage is a voraceous carnivore but only of what it can find in the
water. If handled they can bite! All similar to dragonflies.
Best Wishes Brian