White-faced Darter nymph

The images below shows how this particular species is quite rare in the U.K. Unlike other dragonfly larvae it is active during the day, feeding at night. This being the case it is more open to predation by fish so making its home in highly acidic pools where the fish cannot survive. This environment has been removed in the past, being drained and planted on. The species has suffered greatly from its loss of habitat but recently moves have been made to restore more of these bogs and mires by the felling of trees and blocking of drainage ditches.
The site in Cumbria i visited with Howdon Blogger last weekend has in fact been used as a donor site for larvae that were reintroduced to Foulshaw Moss near Kendal.

The naiad spends its time in the Sphagnum Mosses in the pools.

They exist as larvae for 1-3 years before emerging in the adult stage.

Male and female adults mating......the female only appearing over the water to lay her eggs in the Sphagnum
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