Are these damselflies both males? (1 Viewer)

[Debbie1905]

Hi all, I have just started looking at dragonflies etc. I found my first banded demoiselles (I think). They appeared to be mating, but when I looked at my pics, it seems that they are both males. Have I ID'd them correctly? If so, what is going on?
Many thanks, Deborah

 

[aeshna5]

You've identified your first 2 male Banded Demoiselles correctly. Not sure exactly what's happening, but the rear of the top male's abdomen isn't where it would be in a coupling of male & female, where he would attach to the rear of her thorax. Maybe some type of male aggression?

 

[Debbie1905]

Ooh - I have a little video - not sure if I can attach it, but will try. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Debbie1905]

Looks like the video is too big at 67 Mb. Have some other pics though.

 

[Debbie1905]

There was lots of fluttering of wings going on.

 

[aeshna5]

Interesting it does appear to be a mating attempt.

 

[Debbie1905]

In the video the front one does seem to have hold of the rear one. Do you know the max size for posting a video here?

 

[Swindon Addick]

There are some species where males are known for grabbing any passing damselfly, without worrying too much about species or gender, and then letting it go if it's not the right type. I've not heard of banded demoiselle doing that, and I've also not heard f there being females with male colouring. And yet the individual that's been grabbed does seem to be acting like a female. Fascinating images, and definitely worth sharing with your county recorder to see if they can tell you any more. I've watched a lot of banded demoiselles over the years and have never seen anything like this.

 

[Debbie1905]

I am so glad to have captured something interesting in my first foray into looking at these creatures! Thank you both for your replies, I will definitely contact the county recorder.

 

[pdwinter]

Very interesting. I haven't seen it (that I can remember) with demoiselles.

I looked it up in Corbet and there were 16 species from 7 genera where two-male tandems had been reported at the time the book was published (2004) - which is not a very large % of the 6373 species in the world!

A little more common are triples (m/m/f) e.g. this one of Ruddy Darter from the 'Canvey Island ditch'

 

[Andy Adcock]

In the video the front one does seem to have hold of the rear one. Do you know the max size for posting a video here?

Best way is to upload to youtube and then post a link and as stated before, they are attached at the wrong point for mating.

 

[Andy Adcock]

Very interesting. I haven't seen it (that I can remember) with demoiselles.

I looked it up in Corbet and there were 16 species from 7 genera where two-male tandems had been reported at the time the book was published (2004) - which is not a very large % of the 6373 species in the world!

A little more common are triples (m/m/f) e.g. this one of Ruddy Darter from the 'Canvey Island ditch'

What a great shot!

 

[Andy Adcock]

Interesting it does appear to be a mating attempt.

Or a protest, defensive movement from the submissive which I presume, is aware that it's not female?

 

[Debbie1905]

Sorry for the delay in responding. I have no idea how to upload to YouTube and add a link to it here, but I will have a go in the next couple of days. Thank you for all your replies.

 

[Debbie1905]

OK I think I have managed to put it on YouTube on the above link, it will be live today from 19:45.

 

[Debbie1905]

Oh! Didn't realize that would happen!

 

[Swindon Addick]

Wow. That looks like the one in front has grabbed a male instead of a female and is refusing to let go, while the one behind is trying to free himself. Really remarkable.

 

[Debbie1905]

Glad I caught something interesting. I was just glad to get a bit of video and a couple of snaps of a damselfly! Didn't even know they were both males until I looked them up when I got home.