Male. Taken at Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon., on June 15th 2021. (© David Hastings)
(1/640th sec at f11. Click image for larger version)
Male. Taken at How Hill, Norfolk, on June 15th 2024. (© David Hastings)
(1/800th sec at f11. Click image for larger version)
Female. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on May 27th 2020. (© David Hastings)
(1/320th sec at f13. Click image for larger version)
Pair in cop. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on May 31st 2009. (© David Hastings)
(1/250th sec at f10. Click image for larger version)

Description

Wingspan: 64 - 74 mm; Body length: 54 - 63 mm

The smallest British aeshnid, emerging before other species in late April and May. It has a distinctly hairy thorax, oval spots on each abdominal segment and long, thin pterostigma. The male is dark in appearance and the spots on the abdomen are blue. It has green ante-humeral stripes. The female has yellow markings and much shorter ante-humeral stripes.

It is mainly found in the south-east of England and in most of Ireland. It is increasing its range in England.

It is found along ditches, canals, ponds and lakes with still or very slow-flowing water, and diverse and abundant fringing emergent vegetation.

Eggs are laid into floating, decomposing vegetation and hatch after 3-4 weeks. They usually develop over two or three years. The main flight period is May and June.

Males patrol territories at low level through and alongside emergent vegetation, searching for females. The female is rather secretive, only visiting water to find a mate or lay eggs.

A scarce and local species.

Earliest UK sighting: 26th April ; Latest UK sighting: 25th June

Sightings