| Actual Image
Nehalennia speciosa (4)
cataclysta
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 841 W: 165 N: 2079]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (5440) | Today something really special. The smallest (up to 26mm) and one of the rarest European damselflies – Nehalennia speciosa. I just came back from the short trip to Przedborski Landscape Park (Central Poland) and I have taken some new photos of very interesting insects. You can see the habitat of N. speciosa here.
I want to dedicate this photo to Grzesiek (red45) and Horia (horia).
Nehalennia speciosa has a very large extent of occurrence across Eurasia. However, it is declining and is already regionally extinct in many areas across its range. It currently exists in extremely small areas, at individual and severely scattered localities. The current area of occupancy is not known, however it is likely to be small and at least approaching the 2,000 km˛ threshold for Vulnerable. Available habitat continues to decline due to drainage of wetland areas and climatic changes. Pollution and overgrowth of habitats also threaten the survival of this species. The number of large populations known at present is low (25–30 currently known in Europe).
Primary habitat: small mire lakes and pools bordered by Sphagnum, transition-mires, fens.
Microhabitat: border zones of small lakes and Sphagnum mats, flooded depressions in Sphagnum bogs and fens. Generally stagnant, permanent, shallow, mostly acid waters of low trophy, overgrown with specific vegetation predominated by narrow-leaved helophytes, especially Carex limosa and C. lasiocarpa. Stenotopic species.
Drying out of habitats as result of drainage, extreme weather events and climatic changes (global warming). Changes in the species composition and structure of vegetation caused by an increased load of nutrients from deforested or agriculturally used surroundings, aerial influx and recreational activities (e.g., angling). Overgrowth of habitats, especially secondary ones.
(Source: IUCN red list) |
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