We’ve been seeing red ones and blue ones mating, up at the reservoir. I’m guessing the babies *don’t* come out purple, but what colour DO they come out? Is there a dominant gene like eye colour in humans?
Male and female damselflies of several species are different colours (it’s called sexual dimorphism) and both can change colour as they mature. The larvae, murderous underwater predators, are camouflage-brown and the adults will be whatever colour their species and their gender dictates. I don’t know which species you saw but I will put the question to Ian, who is our Odonata expert.
Damselfly nymph. Definitely not as pretty as parents!
Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve 
Great picture, Ian!
We’ve been seeing red ones and blue ones mating, up at the reservoir. I’m guessing the babies *don’t* come out purple, but what colour DO they come out? Is there a dominant gene like eye colour in humans?
Male and female damselflies of several species are different colours (it’s called sexual dimorphism) and both can change colour as they mature. The larvae, murderous underwater predators, are camouflage-brown and the adults will be whatever colour their species and their gender dictates. I don’t know which species you saw but I will put the question to Ian, who is our Odonata expert.
Damselfly nymph. Definitely not as pretty as parents!
