About Dragonflies and the British Dragonfly Society

*The British Dragonfly Society - Patron: Sir David Attenborough OM CH FRS

The British Dragonfly Society was formed in 1983 to promote and encourage the study and conservation of dragonflies and their natural habitats especially in the United Kingdom. The BDS is a registered charity (No. 800196).

Membership of the British Dragonfly Society is one effective way of helping to conserve these interesting insects. You can find out more about the benefits of membership by clicking here.

The BDS also publishes an Educational Booklet suitable for 7-11 year olds, with copyable worksheets. Together with other information this is free to teachers, group leaders, etc on receipt of an Second Class Large s.a.e to cover 200g weight. Send to: Claire Install, c/o Natural England (West Midlands), Attingham Park, Shrewsbury, SY4 4TW

*About Dragonflies

Dragonflies are among the most ancient of living creatures. Fossil records, clearly recognisable as dragonflies, go back to Carboniferous times which means that they date back almost 300 million years, predating pterodactyls by 100 million years and birds by some 150 million. It would he tragic if, after surviving such an unimaginable number of years, it should be our generation that witnesses the decline of these fascinating and beautiful insects.

Dragonfly in the mist

Dragonflies develop in water and, in order to protect them, it is necessary to study the exact habitat requirements of each individual species and then to protect, conserve and, where possible, increase the number of suitable habitats. The British Dragonfly Society has published a booklet entitled "Dig a Pond for Dragonflies" which contains advice on pond creation and maintenance to attract dragonflies. The habitat requirements of some species are narrow and these are obviously the ones that are most at risk. We have also published a booklet entitled "Managing Habitats for Dragonflies" which is aimed at countryside managers. Other species are catholic in their needs and will survive in almost any kind of water, a few even tolerating water that is brackish. The majority fall between these extremes, some requiring running water, some still, and some bogs and marshes.

Forty years ago, the United Kingdom boasted 42 breeding species of dragonfly. Three of these are now extinct in Britain: the Orange-spotted Emerald was lost when a sewage spillage resulted in the pollution of its last remaining breeding ground; the Norfolk Damselfly was unable to survive the pollution of sites where it had previously thrived; and the Dainty Damselfly was eliminated when flooding destroyed its Essex habitat.

Fortunately dragonflies, with one or two exceptions, are still fairly numerous in Britain, particularly in the southern counties. The exceptions generally have a precise set of requirements and include such rarities as the Norfolk Hawker which still retains a few toe-holds in Norfolk and Suffolk; the Northern Damselfly which can be found at a handful of boggy sites in northern Scotland; the Southern and the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies which still breed in a few marshy areas in south-western parts of the country. Thanks to the rising awareness of the dragonfly's plight, to our expanding knowledge of their needs, and to increasing conservation activity, a number of species are actually extending their range and this is enormously encouraging.

Important questions are: How can we ensure that no more dragonfly habitats disappear and how can we encourage the spread of dragonflies that are not so seriously at risk? Here are some answers:

  1. We can dig small ponds in our gardens and larger ones in various types of open space. It will not be long before dragonflies start to colonize them, since most species readily discover new habitats.
  2. Farmers and other land-owners can be urged to preserve their hedgerows and copses, where adult dragonflies shelter in dull weather, and to keep ponds and other water on their land clear of effluents. Lakes and ponds should not be allowed to become overgrown with reeds and other aquatic plants (though they should not be totally denuded of them), nor should the branches of overhanging trees be permitted to block out the sun.
  3. We can take special precautions against polluting the water when holidaying in such places as the Norfolk Broads.
  4. We can refrain from taking specimens unnecessarily; photographs generally provide a satisfactory means of identifying species and provide excellent records. The BDS has published a Code of Practice on collecting Odonata.
  5. We can send a donation to, or join, the British Dragonfly Society.

We must NOT let any more of these lovely insects disappear from Britain. Membership of the British Dragonfly Society is one effective way of helping. You can find out more about the benefits of membership by clicking here.