Calopteryx virgo
Calopteryx virgo, male
One of the two Swedish Calopteryx species. Both Calopteryx are bound to running waters. virgo prefers sandy stream bottom. As C. splendens prefers muddy stream bottoms the two species are rarely found in he same location. Typical locations for the species are streams in the forest were the species flies close to the stream in sunny spots. The species is a quite bad flyer compared to most dragonflies; therefore it seldom migrates to other habitats, but can rarely be seen in lakes close to streams. The flight pattern that looks more like a butterfly flight than a dragonfly is characteristic for the Calopteryx species.
Key characteristics
One of the two Swedish Calopteryx species. Both Calopteryx are bound to running waters. virgo prefers sandy stream bottom. As C. splendens prefers muddy stream bottoms the two species are rarely found in he same location. Typical locations for the species are streams in the forest were the species flies close to the stream in sunny spots. The species is a quite bad flyer compared to most dragonflies; therefore it seldom migrates to other habitats, but can rarely be seen in lakes close to streams. The flight pattern that looks more like a butterfly flight than a dragonfly is characteristic for the Calopteryx species.
In air
End of May until August. Occurs all over Sweden with exemption for the mountainous regions in the north
