In 2006 the gravel pits near Asselt were monitored for dragonflies as part of the ‘Maas in Beeld’ project. Main goal of this project is the evaluation of the flora and fauna after 10 to 15 years of nature restoration within the floodplain of the Meuse. These artificial lakes proved to be very species rich in comparison with other lakes in the Meuse valley. This richness can partly be explained by the, relatively simple, nature restoration measures carried out for the lakes in this area, the creation of natural banks and floodplain vegetation. It is a good example for other sand and gravel pits in the floodplains of large rivers. In 2006 27 species of dragonflies were recorded, among others Aeshna affinis, A. isoceles, Anax parthenope, Cordulia aenea and Ceriagrion tenellum. A newly emerged male of Anax parthenope was recorded, the second proof of successful reproduction of this species in The Netherlands. A large population of Ceriagrion tenellum consisting of several hundred individuals was found. This is the first known population in the Dutch riverine area and the habitat differs markedly from that of other populations in The Netherlands.

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Brachytron

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Nederlandse Vereniging voor Libellenstudie

Pepijn Calle, Gijs Kurstjens, & Bart Peters. (2007). De libellen van de Asseltse Plassen: meer natuurlijke inrichting Maasplassen werpt vruchten af. Brachytron, 10(2), 167–173.