With the extravagant array of wild flowers along the towpath during the summer months there is an abundance of insect life.
Butterflies
The most obvious insects that can be seen on a visit to the canal are the butterflies. Common species found along the canal include the colourful Peacock and Red Admiral, and the more delicate Common Blue, Comma and Gatekeeper. It is also worth looking out for caterpillars in amongst the grasses and nettles on the towpath, as they will be the next generation of butterflies to admire on a walk.
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For casual records of butterfly species found along the canal, please visit Butterfly Records 2007 
(9KB - pdf help).
Dragonflies and Damselflies
A variety of dragonfly and damselfly species are found throughout the country park. The Common Blue Damselfly is very easy to spot hovering in amongst the shallow water vegetation, and the large impressive Emperor Dragonfly can be seen flying along the hedgerows looking for small insects to feed on. They seem to be very inquisitive creatures and have been known to fly very close to people, close enough so you can hear their wings flapping.
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The insect life under the water is just as busy and fascinating as above. Dragonflies start their lives under the water. The larvae prey on other freshwater insects, and are quite aggressive killers. Water boatmen are another species found in the canal. They are very noticeable by their very long back legs, which they use as oars to move around. Another indicative feature of this species is that they swim on their backs.
The insect life in the Grand Western Canal Country Park is very important in the chain of life in the countryside. Insects provide the basis of the food chain and without them the chain would fall apart and other wildlife would suffer.
The following dragonfly and damselfly species have been recorded within the country park.
Species |
Flight Period |
Where to Look |
|---|---|---|
| Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cythathigerum |
Late May - Early September | Widespread |
| Blue-tailed Damselfly Ishnura elegans |
Mid May - Early August | Widespread |
| Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella |
Late May - Mid August | Mainly between Sampford Peverell and Ebear |
| Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma najas |
Mid May - Early September | Mainly around Greenway Bridge and East Manley |
| Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula |
Late May - Mid August | Mainly between Sampford Peverell and Ebear |
| Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens |
June - July | Widespread |
| Beautiful Demoiselle Calopteryx virgo |
Late May - Late August | Widespread |
| Hairy Dragonfly Brochytron nymphula |
Mid May - End June | Uncommon |
| Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta |
Mid August - Mid October | Widespread |
| Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea |
July - Early October | Widespread |
| Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator |
Mid June - Early August | Widespread |
| Black-tailed Skimmer Orthethrum Cancellatum |
Mid June - Mid August | Widespread |
| Broad bodied Chaser Libellula Depressa |
Late May - Early August | Widespread |
| Scarce Chaser Libellula Fulva |
Late May - Early July | Mainly between Ayshford Bridge to Ebear Bridge |
| Common Darter Sympetrum Striolatum |
Late June - Mid October | Widespread especially between Waytown Tunnel and Lowdwells |
For casual records of dragonfly and damselfly species found along the canal, please visit Dragonfly and Damselfly Records 2007 (12KB - pdf help).
For more information about dragonflies and damselflies, please visit the British Dragonfly Scociety website.
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