All of the species in the Calopteryx genus are known as jewelwings but today’s focus is on the Banded demoiselle (Calopteryx splendens, from the Greek καλóς [kalos] which means ‘beautiful’, and πτɛ´ρυξ [pteryx], meaning ‘wing’, and splendens, from the Latin splendere, meaning ‘shining’ or ‘glittering’ – an appropriate set of names for this splendidly beautiful glittering-winged dragonfly).

Only the males have the wing bands; the females have wings that range from pale green to dark brown depending on location, which means they can sometimes be confused with female Beautiful demoiselles; fortunately, in Britain, they tend towards the pale green end of that colour range. I’ve only seen males this year, so haven’t yet been confused, which makes a pleasant change, but I have been dazzled by their beauty.