Male. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on July 4th 2015.
(1/160th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Teneral male. Taken at Bucknell Wood, Northants, on May 27th 2017.
(1/320th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Ovipositing female. Taken at Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon., on June 12th 2023.
(1/640th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

Wing span: 90 - 104 mm; Body length: 66 - 84 mm

This is the largest aeshnid in most of Europe. Males are unmistakable due to their size, unmarked green thorax and blue abdomen with a black mid-dorsal stripe. The female is green with a black dorsal stripe. Tenerals are pale green and have brown rather than black markings on the abdomen. Both sexes have a yellow costa and brown wing spots.

It is most commonly found south of a line between the Wash and the Severn estuary. It is also found further north, in south Wales and southern Ireland.

This species prefers standing waters, often large and well-vegetated. It also breeds in new ponds and can tolerate brackish water.

The female lays eggs alone, usually well offshore, typically into pondweed. The eggs hatch after about three weeks. The larvae usually take two years to mature. The flight period is June to August.

Males are highly territorial and vigorously defend their territory against all incomers. They catch and eat prey on the wing, although larger prey items like butterflies are eaten at rest.

Common and widespread in southern England.

Sightings

07-Sep-2023	:	Folly Park, Faringdon, Oxon	(1)
16-Aug-2023	:	Whelford Pools, Glos	(1)
07-Aug-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(2)
07-Aug-2023	:	Parsonage Moor, Oxon	(2)
25-Jul-2023	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon	(3)
17-Jul-2023	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon	(5m,1f)
17-Jul-2023	:	Bernwood Forest, Bucks	(2)
01-Jul-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
26-Jun-2023	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon	(5)
26-Jun-2023	:	Bernwood Forest, Bucks	(1)
23-Jun-2023	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(1)
22-Jun-2023	:	Steart Marshes, Somerset	(1)
16-Jun-2023	:	Whelford Pools, Glos	(2)
12-Jun-2023	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(2)
12-Jun-2023	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon	(3)
09-Aug-2022	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(1)
04-Aug-2022	:	Whelford Pools, Glos	(3)
29-Jul-2022	:	Aston, Oxon	(1f)
29-Jul-2022	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(2)
22-Jul-2022	:	Aston, Oxon	(1f)
22-Jul-2022	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(1m)
21-Jul-2022	:	Aston, Oxon	(1f)
16-Jul-2022	:	Chimney Meadows, Oxon	(2)
08-Jul-2022	:	Parsonage Moor, Oxon	(1)
04-Jul-2022	:	Bernwood Forest, Bucks	(2)
01-Jul-2022	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon	(8)
01-Jul-2022	:	Bernwood Forest, Bucks	(3)
25-Jun-2022	:	Myers Allotment, Lancashire	(1)
25-Jun-2022	:	Gait Barrows NNR, Lancashire	(1)
24-Jun-2022	:	Leighton Moss, Lancashire	(1)
23-Jun-2022	:	Arnside Knott, Cumbria	(1)
20-Jun-2022	:	Foulshaw Moss, Cumbria	(2)
15-Jun-2022	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon	(4)
15-Jun-2022	:	Bernwood Forest, Bucks	(1)
13-Jun-2022	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(2)
07-Jun-2022	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon	(1m,1f)
27-May-2022	:	Bucknell Wood, Northants	(3)
11-Aug-2021	:	Mortimer, Berks	(1)
23-Jul-2021	:	Iffley Meadows, Oxon	(1)
14-Jul-2021	:	Bernwood Forest, Bucks	(1)
14-Jul-2021	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon	(3)
12-Jul-2021	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(1)
08-Jul-2021	:	Whelford Pools, Glos	(5m,2f)
05-Jul-2021	:	Bernwood Forest, Bucks	(2)
26-Jun-2021	:	Silchester Common, Hants	(2m,1f)
25-Jun-2021	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(1)
15-Jun-2021	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon	(4)
15-Jun-2021	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(2)
13-Jun-2021	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(2)
12-Jun-2021	:	Waterperry Wood, Oxon	(1m)