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New Dragonfly find on Fenor Bog, Co Waterford

For release 23 August 2002

This summer saw a new species discovery on IPCC's reserve at Fenor Bog, Co.
Waterford, namely the Emperor dragonfly (Anax imperator).

This largest of Irish dragonflies measuring some 78mm long is an impressive
insect flying from early June to late August. It's difficult to mistake the
dragonfly for another. The male has an apple green body and long blue tail
with a black stripe on the upper side, the female is entirely apple green
with the black tail stripe.

At first a male Emperor was sighted, and then a female was seen laying eggs
in the newly created bog pool on Fenor by Mr Edmund Foyle, an IPCC supporter
and a recorder of dragonflies for the Dragonfly Ireland project (see
www.habitas.co.uk).

Up until 2000, the Emperor Dragonfly was thought to be a migrant species in
Ireland. In the last two years, as a result of the renewed interest in
dragonflies prompted by the all Ireland Dragonfly Survey, this species has
been confirmed as breeding, particularly on sites in the southern part of
the country. Never the less, it is a rare and unusual find.

IPCC are delighted that management work undertaken at Fenor Bog, involving
drain blocking and raising the water table, has resulted in the creation of
suitable habitat for dragonflies and damselflies. Mr Foyle also recorded the
Common Damselflies, Black-tailed Skimmer, Brown Hawker Dragonfly, Ruddy
Darter, Common Darter and the Blue-tailed Damselfly on his visit to the
reserve.

Emperor Dragonflies spend the first two years of life as aquatic larvae in
ponds. IPCC will be monitoring Fenor Bog for the presence of larvae of the
Emperor dragonfly with interest following this year's breeding season.

Fenor Bog, Co. Waterford is being conserved jointly by the Irish Peatland
Conservation Council and Moin Fhionnurach Development Association. The site
is soon to be declared a National Nature Reserve. Further information on
the reserve can be found at www.ipcc.ie

____________________________________
Irish Peatland Conservation Council
119 Capel Street
Dublin 1
Ireland

Tel & Fax +353-1-8722397
Tel +353-1-8722384
e-mail: bogs@ipcc.ie
web: www.ipcc.ie

Action for Bogs & Wildlife

Photograph: Copyright Dragonfly Ireland project (see www.habitas.co.uk).

ENDS