Ditch with Krabbescheer

Along the shell path towards Cornelisgracht is a beautiful wet barren grassland. For insect lovers we come across the marsh grasshopper, golden grasshopper and silver moon (= mother-of-pearl butterfly species) here in May-June. In the ditch next to it we find one of the pioneer species for landfall; the scratch shear. This plant species has sharp point-shaped leaves that protrude above the surface of the water. As the plant gains the upper hand in a ditch, landfall can occur. In this phase, the very rare green glazier in the Netherlands occurs. This dragonfly is totally dependent on the crab shearing fields. The females lay their eggs under the surface of the water along the leaf. Not without danger, because the yellow-edged shore spider lurks on prey. This very large spider lives among the plants and outwits many an insect, frog or salamander. Both can be observed especially in August.

WaterReijk Weerribben Wieden