Dragonflies and butterflies of the Hebrides

The Hebrides is a wonderful place for dragonflies and butterflies when the sun shines. Lots of Golden-ringed Dragonflies, Keeled Skimmers, Common Hawker and Large Red Damselfly. I saw two new species for me, two Highland Darters (at Balranald and in the Cuillins on Skye) and about three Azure Hawkers (two on Ulva and at least one on Skye). The latter was a really impressive species, much bluer than the other hawkers. Butterflies include lots of Dark Green Fritillaries, Scotch Argus, Pearl Bordered Fritillaries, Graylings and Common Blues, as well as Meadow Browns, Small Heath and a few Red Admirals.

Golden Ringed Dragonfly on Ulva.

Highland Darter, Cuillins, Skye. This is quite a difficult species to separate from Common Darter, and the photograph is not conclusive, but I did have a good look at it in the field and I am happy with the identification. Features you can see in the photo which point towards Highland Darter are the completely black femur and the deeper red colouration of the insect when compared to a typical Common Darter. This is edging more towards Ruddy Darter in colour.

Keeled Skimmer Ulva

Large Red Damselfly ovipositing. The male grabs the female by the neck while she lays her eggs, in order to guard her from other males.

Dark Green Fritillary, Eriskay. A very common butterfly in the Hebrides.

Pearl-bordered Fritillary.

Scotch Argus, Cuillins, Skye.