Male. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on July 13th 2020.
(1/60th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Female. Taken at Standlake, Oxon., on June 2nd 2018.
(1/400th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

Wingspan: 54 - 70 mm; body length: 45 - 48 mm

An unmistakable demoiselle. The male has translucent wings which each have a broad, dark iridescent blue-black spot (or band) across the outer part. On immature dragonflies the spot is dark brown. The female has translucent, pale green iridescent wings with a white patch near the tip, and a metallic green body.

It is common in southern England, Wales and Ireland. It is rare in northern England and absent from Scotland.

This species is characteristic of mature, slow-flowing streams and rivers with muddy sediment.

Females can lay up to 10 eggs per minute for 45 minutes. They lay in a wide variety of emergent or floating plants, sometimes even submerging to do so. The eggs hatch after 14 days. The larvae have very long legs and are stick-shaped. They usually take two years to develop into adults. The flight period is May to August.

Males are territorial. They court females by flicking their wings open and performing an aerial dance in front of them. Females stay away from water unless looking for a mate or egg-laying.

This species is common and widespread.

Sightings

07-Jul-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
29-Jun-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
25-Jun-2023	:	Standlake Common, Oxon	(4m,3f)
25-Jun-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1f)
23-Jun-2023	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(1)
15-Jun-2023	:	Stonesfield Common, Oxon	(2m)
02-Jun-2023	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(2)
27-May-2023	:	Barnwell Country Park, Northants	(30+)
26-May-2023	:	Barnwell Country Park, Northants	(60+)
24-May-2023	:	Chimney Meadows, Oxon	(60+)
20-May-2023	:	Cholsey Marsh, Oxon	(30m,15f)
07-Aug-2022	:	Aston, Oxon	(1f)
04-Aug-2022	:	Whelford Pools, Glos	(2m)
16-Jul-2022	:	Aston, Oxon	(10+)
16-Jul-2022	:	Chimney Meadows, Oxon	(6m,1f)
04-Jul-2022	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(2m,1f)
16-Jun-2022	:	Aston, Oxon	(6)
13-Jun-2022	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(1m,1f)
02-Jun-2022	:	Chimney Meadows, Oxon	(75+)
02-Jun-2022	:	Aston, Oxon	(1m)
27-May-2022	:	Aston, Oxon	(1m)
22-May-2022	:	Chimney Meadows, Oxon	(20m,15f)
21-May-2022	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(10m,5f)
19-May-2022	:	Aston, Oxon	(18+)
09-Aug-2021	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(1f)
14-Jul-2021	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(12m,5f)
11-Jul-2021	:	Standlake Common, Oxon	(2m,5f)
16-Jun-2021	:	Abingdon, Oxon	(1m)
15-Jun-2021	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(40+m)
13-Jun-2021	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(3m,3f)
04-Jun-2021	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(10+)
27-May-2021	:	Goring, Oxon	(9m,5f)
19-May-2021	:	Cholsey Marsh, Oxon	(3m)
02-Aug-2020	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(1m)
29-Jul-2020	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(1m)
13-Jul-2020	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(2m,2f)
11-Jul-2020	:	Standlake Common, Oxon	(2m)
24-Jun-2020	:	Standlake Common, Oxon	(3m,3f)
23-Jun-2020	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(1m,1f)
22-Jun-2020	:	Waterperry Wood, Oxon	(1m,1f)
21-Jun-2020	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(4m)
15-Jun-2020	:	Chimney Meadows, Oxon	(40+)
07-Jun-2020	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(2m,1f)
02-Jun-2020	:	Culham, Oxon	(7m,1f)
30-May-2020	:	Goring, Oxon	(23m,5f)
29-May-2020	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(2)
26-May-2020	:	Abingdon, Oxon	(1m)
25-May-2020	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(4m,3f)
20-May-2020	:	Cholsey Marsh, Oxon	(18m,7f)
17-May-2020	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(2m,1f)