Male. Taken at Fifty Acre Piece, Berks, on June 27th 2026. (© David Hastings)
(Canon R7+100-400mm, 1/800th sec, f/11, ISO1250, 400mm. Click image for larger version)
Male. Taken at Fifty Acre Piece, Berks, on June 27th 2026. (© David Hastings)
(Canon R7+100-400mm, 1/800th sec, f/9, ISO640, 325mm. Click image for larger version)
Immature male. Taken at Foulshaw Moss, Cumbria, on July 2nd 2016. (© David Hastings)
(Canon 70D+100-400mm, 1/640th sec, f/11, ISO800, 400mm. Click image for larger version)
Female. Taken at Foulshaw Moss, Cumbria, on June 28th 2018. (© David Hastings)
(Canon R7II+100-400mm, 1/160th sec, f/13, ISO400, 300mm. Click image for larger version)

Description

Wing span: 44 - 52 mm; Body length: 29 - 34 mm

Britain's smallest dragonfly is a late summer species of heathland and moorland bog pools. It is the only Sympetrum species where mature males do not turn reddish. It has black legs and black pterostigma.

It is very locally distributed in the lowlands, but more widespread in the uplands of northern and western Britain, and in Ireland.

It is restricted to acidic shallow pools, lake margins and ditches in lowland heathland, and moorland blanket bog.

The flight period is relatively late, from mid-June to November.

It has a rather skittish flight action. Males are not strongly territorial.

A locally common species.

Earliest UK sighting: 27th June ; Latest UK sighting: 2nd July

Sightings