Male. Taken at Aston, Oxon., on May 12th 2024. (© David Hastings)
(1/1000th sec at f11. Click image for larger version)
Male. Taken at Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon., on June 12th 2023. (© David Hastings)
(1/640th sec at f13. Click image for larger version)
Immature male. Taken in the Velebits National Park, Croatia, on June 11th 2017. (© David Hastings)
(1/160th sec at f14. Click image for larger version)
Female. Taken at Bucknell Wood, Northants, on May 27th 2022. (© David Hastings)
(1/800th sec at f11. Click image for larger version)
Female. Taken at Bucknell Wood, Northants, on May 26th 2023. (© David Hastings)
(1/640th sec at f11. Click image for larger version)

Description

Wing span: 64 - 76 mm; Body length: 39 - 48 mm

This species has a very broad, flattened abdomen, which makes the insect appear fat. Both sexes have pale blue, thin ante-humeral stripes and brown eyes. The wing bases and wing spots are very dark brown. Males quickly develop a blue pruinescence on the abdomen with yellow spots along the segment sides. Females are a golden brown on the abdomen, again with yellow spots at the margins. Sometimes old females can develop limited pruinosity, but it is not as extensive as that in the male.

It is found in England and Wales.

Its prefered habitat is a wide range of mostly stagnant waters, especially those which are small, shallow, sunny and bare. It is usually quick to colonise new ponds.

Eggs are laid in flight. They hatch after about three weeks and the larvae live in bottom sediment. Nymphs take between one and three years to mature into adults. The flight period is from May to August.

Males are aggressively territorial, taking up positions on bankside vegetation, from where they launch missions to chase intruders or intercept females.

Fairly common in southern Britain.

Earliest UK sighting: 1st May ; Latest UK sighting: 3rd August

Sightings