Locally common in suitable habitats. The flight period is May to August. The two Calopteryx species are the largest of the Irish damselflies. The Banded Demoiselle is found on rivers, streams and drains of moderate to slow-flow that have beds of silt and marginal vegetation. Males perch on bankside vegetation in order to attract females.

C. splendens is very similar to the Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo. The males of the two species are easily differentiated as in C. splendens the dark wing pigment forms a broad central band whereas in C. virgo it is more extensive.

KEY IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

• Mature males have a metallic blue-green body with a broad, dark band across the wings
• Females have a brilliant metallic green body and the wings are tinted green with a white pseudo-pterostigma