Dragonflies around Olot in the province of Girona, NE Spain

From 18 July to 15 August 1988, dragonflies were observed in the area between Olot and Besalú in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Running water was the main habitat type visited, although a few standing waters were investigated as well. At the 24 sites visited, which were at altitudes between 200 and 400 m, a total of 27 spp. was found. Observations of a single Trithemis annulata (P. de Beauv.) at one site, as well as a population just outside the study area, are of considerable interesting, being the most northerly records in southwestern Europe at this date. The most common species found during the survey of running waters were Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis (Vander L.), Platycnemis latipes Ramb., Onychogomphus uncalus (Charp.) and Boyeria irene (Fonsc.). Diurnal activity of six species was observed: most individuals were active at the water between 13:00 and 15:00 h local time [CET]. The maximum densities of Boyeria irene during daytime, between 13:00 and 14:00 h, were the same as those at twilight at 21:00 h. As the days became shorter and twilight earlier, so did the latest time at which B. irene was observed.