Dark Emerald Damselfly
Lestes macrostigma (Eversmann, 1836)
Order Dragonflies (Odonata)
Family Spread-winged damselflies (Lestidae)
Conservation status: in Bulgaria: Critically endangered CR [B1a].
General distribution. The major part of the range covers the Northern Mediterranean countries, Turkey, the Caucasian countries, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Few localities are reported from the southern regions of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and the Ukraine.
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria. Distributed along the Black Sea coast: Shablenska Tuzla Lake (unpublished data), to the north of Pomorie [1, 2] between 1970 and 1995, the Poda Protected Area to the south of Burgas (unpublished data). Locally abundant in the habitats typical of the species. Outside the Black Sea coast, it was found in Trevistoto Lake of the group of Smolyan lakes: one male accidentally got into this water body.
Habitats. Shore stagnant brackish water bodies(saltiness of the water up to 13-14 ‰), with presence of Bolboschoenus maritimus.
Biology. The nymphs inhabit the underwater part of the plants in temporary water bodies. For emergence, the stems of Bolboschoenus maritimus or the reed (Phragmites australis) are selected. Important for the survival of the adults are the densely situated reed stems in the peripheral part of the water body or the stems distanced up to 30 m. They are chosen as places for sexual maturing. Mating couples perch on plants over the water basin in lit sections or in more densely overgrown places. The female always lays accompanied by the male, placing the eggs in the tissue of B. maritimus. Usually when laying eggs the water bodies are dry.
Negative factors. Change of the habitats of the species. The development of Bolboschoenus maritimus leads to the creation of more dense overgrowth. Usually these sections are occupied by Lestes dryas that substitutes L. macrostigma in such changes.
Conservation measures taken. A habitat is included in the borders of the Poda Protected Area to the south of Burgas. Population studies for determining the abundance, preferences and possible threats have been made.
Conservation measures needed. Maintenance of the habitat structure necessary for the species development. Monitoring the vegetation overgrowth in other wetlands along the Black Sea coast. Preparation of a plan for conservation of the species and its inclusion in the plans for management of shore wetlands.
References. 1. Scheffler, 1973; 2. Donath, 1987.
Author: Alexi Popov
