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Dragonfly Day
"And that blue there, cobalt / a moment, then iridescent..."
~ The Damselfly, August Kleinzahler, 1994
Summer brings colour everywhere, and one of the rarest colours in nature is blue. True blue pigments are surprisingly uncommon in both plants and animals, making the brilliant sapphire hues of many damselflies all the more remarkable. This tartan is a fitting tribute to these delicate, jewel-like cousins of the larger dragonfly, whose iridescent colours brighten ponds, lochs, burns, marshes, and slow-moving streams throughout the summer months.
What makes their appearance even more extraordinary is that much of their dazzling colour is not produced by blue pigment at all. Instead, microscopic structures within their bodies reflect and scatter light, creating vivid metallic blues, greens, and violets that shimmer and shift with every movement. The result is a living jewel that seems to sparkle in the sunlight, bringing flashes of rare and remarkable colour to the waterside landscape.
Damselflies are found across much of the world, including throughout Scotland, the rest of Britain, North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. They are most often associated with clean, unpolluted freshwater habitats where their young develop beneath the surface before emerging into the air as adults. During the warmer months they can often be seen darting among reeds, rushes, wildflowers, and waterside vegetation, bringing flashes of colour to some of the most peaceful corners of the landscape.
Their beauty has inspired folklore in many cultures. Because they spend part of their lives beneath the water before emerging transformed into winged adults, damselflies have often been associated with change, renewal, and transformation. Their ethereal appearance and habit of dancing over still waters also led some people to connect them with fairies and other enchanted beings said to inhabit lochs, ponds, and hidden woodland pools.
May you be lucky enough to catch sight of a sparkling damselfly this summer, flashing its sapphire wings in the sunshine. 💙 💚 🖤 🪲 🪲 🪲 🦋 🦋 🦋 🐉 🐉 🐉
Dragonflies and damselflies are among the oldest and most successful aerial hunters on Earth. Their ancestors were already taking to the skies more than 300 million years ago, long before dinosaurs appeared. Modern dragonflies still carry echoes of that ancient lineage, with large compound eyes, delicate wings, and astonishing flying abilities that make them some of nature's most accomplished predators.
Although often mistaken for one another, dragonflies and damselflies are distinct. Dragonflies are generally larger and more robust, holding their wings outstretched when at rest. Damselflies are slimmer and more delicate, usually folding their wings neatly over their backs. Both, however, spend much of their lives not in the air but underwater. Their aquatic young, called nymphs, are formidable hunters in ponds, streams, and marshes, feeding on mosquito larvae and other small creatures before emerging into their winged adult forms.
The flight of a dragonfly is a marvel of natural engineering. Each of its four wings can move independently, allowing it to hover, dart sideways, fly backward, and change direction in an instant. Scientists have long studied dragonfly flight for inspiration in the design of advanced aircraft and drones. Their hunting success is remarkable—research has shown that dragonflies capture their prey with an efficiency that rivals the best predators in the animal kingdom.
Beyond their scientific fascination, dragonflies and damselflies have inspired myths and folklore across many cultures. In Japan, dragonflies are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness. In parts of Europe, they were once associated with fairies and enchanted waters. Their shimmering colors—metallic blues, emerald greens, fiery reds, and golden ambers—have only added to their reputation as magical creatures of ponds and rivers.
A healthy population of dragonflies and damselflies is often a sign of clean water and a thriving ecosystem. Because their life cycle depends on both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, they serve as valuable indicators of environmental health. Watching them patrol a pond on a summer afternoon is not only a pleasure but also a reminder that even the smallest wetlands can support an extraordinary diversity of life.
Perhaps the greatest wonder of dragonflies and damselflies is the transformation they undergo. After months or even years hidden beneath the water's surface, a nymph climbs a reed or stem, splits its skin, and emerges as a winged adult. Within hours, its wings harden, its colors brighten, and it takes flight.
For more on the differences between the dragonfly and damselfly, click the photo!