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Dragonfly
SOS
PICs: christophe brochard, alamy stock photo
As British dragonfly
numbers take a dive
we speak to a
leading expert
about why they’re
struggling and what
we can do to help
By Lorna White
There’s always
been something
fascinating and
special about
watching
a dragonfly dance. With its
lightning speed, striking
colours and otherworldly
look, it’s always a joy to
behold. But sadly, it’s getting
rarer to see British species
of these beautiful creatures
in the UK. Some are now
considered endangered,
with two varieties currently
in danger of extinction.
Henry Curry from the
British Dragonfly Society
(BDS), says: “Our main
concern is for species
like the White-Faced
Darters and Common
Clubtails that have
been really struggling in
recent years.”
24
The Common Clubtail
is one of the species
under threat
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT
The Migrant Hawker, one
of the most common
dragonflies in the UK
So why the decline?
It’s mainly to do with the
reduced availability of clean,
fresh water. Amazingly,
the dragonfly starts its life
as an egg in a pond, bog
or marsh and here it takes
around two years to grow
from an egg to larva and
finally into their adult form.
Once grown, the
dragonfly will find a nearby
plant and pull itself out,
stretching out its wings for
the first time and fly away.
Did you know?
Dragonflies have been
around for 300 million
years and in prehistoric
times they could have a
wingspan of 2½ feet
But the dragonfly is
finding it harder and harder
to locate these fresh
water incubators to lay
their eggs and start the
next generation. ”Since
the Fifties, the number
of fresh water ponds on
farms has fallen as farmers,
for various economic
reasons, have filled them
in,” says Henry. “What’s
more, pollution and regular
flooding of rivers and ponds
has made the problem
even worse for dragonflies,
which need clean, calm
water to thrive.”
That’s why Henry and
his team at the British
Dragonfly Society are
now working hard
to help restore dragonfly
habitats so this amazing
insect can flourish
for years to come.
“In locations we
know dragonflies
used to inhabit,
we’ve been trying to
recreate the habitat
that attracted
them years ago,”
says Henry. “After
agreeing with all
the right people
we reintroduce
the species to that
area and monitor
numbers. So far,
these reintroduction
projects have been
really successful.”
And it’s hoped as
the project continues
‘Dragonflies are
incredibly useful
insects that keep flies
and mosquitos away’
to grow, even the rarest of
British dragonflies will be
able to find a home in the UK
once more.
Henry says: “Dragonflies
are incredibly useful insects
that keep flies and mosquitos
away, and they have such
beautiful markings. It would
be a real shame for future
generations to miss out on
catching a glimpse of them.”
How to help
n Creating a garden pond is one
of the best ways to encourage
dragonflies. This should be in a
shaded area avoiding overhanging
trees and be surrounded by plenty
of plants. The pond should also
be fairly deep in the centre so it
doesn’t freeze in the winter.
n If you don’t have a garden you
can still get involved by helping
your community make local ponds
more dragonfly friendly. Find out
more at freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/
get-involved
n You can join the British Dragonfly
Society as a volunteer, recording
dragonfly numbers or helping with
projects. Alternatively, support the
BDS’ work by becoming a member
(£20). Call 01733 204286 or visit
british-dragonflies.org.uk
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