Welsh Journals

DRAGONFLIES IN WALES, 1970-1972 BRYAN L. SAGE The previous report in this series is that for the years 1967-1969 Nature in Wales 12(2): 104-110, 1970). There are no less than nine new county records to report, including Ischnura elegans, Enallagma cyathigerum, Coenagrion puella, Lestes sponsa, Libellula quadrimaculata and Sympetrum danae recorded in Denbighshire in 1972 by C. T. H. Dennis. This reflects the fact that no entomologists have been paying attention to dragonflies in that county for many years. The other new records are Agrion splendens and Leucorrhinia dubia for Flintshire, and Cordulegaster boltonii for Anglesey. The record of L. dubia in Flintshire is most interesting as this is a species with specialised habitat requirements, and is not known to occur in any other Welsh county. I commenced the current series of reports in 1955, as a result of which we now have data spanning a period of eighteen years. It is intended to prepare an analysis of this data in order to produce a set of distribution maps for each species in Wales. A summary of the localities at which the various species have been recorded in each Welsh county will also be prepared which, together with the maps, will form a basis against which future records can be compared. In future reports less detailed information will appear regarding localities, unless there is something new to report. However, observers are asked to continue to submit records of all species in order that any future changes in status or distribution can be assessed. The present report is based upon records supplied by T. A. W. Davis, C. T. H. Dennis, J. W. Donovan, D. Hobart (per M. J. M.), H. J. Hughes (per M. J. M.), Dr. R. Hughes (per M. J. M.), I. Kruys, Dr. David Kyle, H. N. Michaelis (per M. J. M.), Mrs. M. J. Morgan, J. M. Orton and B. L. Sage. FAMILY COENAGRIIDAE Pyrrhosoma nymphula (Sulzer). Large Red Damsel-fly. Anglesey: 1972-Recorded at Pentre Berw marsh, small lake at Bodffordd, a marsh near Gwalchmai, marshes at Llangefni, and Gors Goch, all in August. Brecon: 1970-Noted by the canal at Pencelli and at Llan- gorse Lake from May to July. 1971-Seen by the canal at Pencelli in May. Caernarvon: 1972-One found dead in a pool in Bangor on 5 June. A male by the Afon Dwyfor in the Pennant Valley on 23 July, and 4-5 by a "flush" at 1,400ft. above Cwm Pennant on 27 July when oviposition in moss was noted. Denbigh: 1972-Recorded in Fawnog Lake, Llyn Syberi and Llyn Bran, south of Bylchau, in August. Flint: 1972-Seen at Whixall Moss in August. Merioneth: 1972-Seen at Llyn Trawsfynydd, Llyn Tryweryn and Nant-yr-helfa (Llyn Celyn). Pembroke: 1971-Present on Dowrog Common on 17 July. 1972-Recorded at Tregidreg Farm, Mathry, where several were seen at a small pond on 18 May; one on Dowrog Common on 27