Male. Taken at Barnwell Country Park, Northants, on June 10th 2018.
(1/500th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Immature male. Taken at Barnwell Country Park, Northants, on June 10th 2018.
(1/200th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Female. Taken at Barnwell Country Park, Northants, on May 27th 2023.
(1/640th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Female. Taken at Barnwell Country Park, Northants, on May 27th 2023.
(1/640th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Pair in cop. Taken at Barnwell Country Park, Northants, on June 8th 2018.
(1/250th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

Wing span: 64 - 76mm; Body length: 42 - 45mm

Teneral male Scarce Chasers are a vivid orange colour, which turn into black and grey-blue adults. Females are brown. Both sexes may have dark wing tips.

It is found quite widely in central and SE Europe, but is scarce in the British Isles.

It requires a specific combination of water quality and habitat structure. Reedy borders are favoured. Slow-flowing rivers and streams, abandoned canals, ox-bow lakes, etc, are typical habitats.

Nymphs take two years to mature. Adults are on the wing from the end of May to early August.

Males frequently perch on waterside plants, making darting flights between perches.

The Scarce Chaser is a Red data list species in the UK.

Sightings

29-May-2023	:	Fineshade Wood, Northants	(2)
27-May-2023	:	Barnwell Country Park, Northants	(4)
26-May-2023	:	Barnwell Country Park, Northants	(2)
10-Jun-2018	:	Barnwell Country Park, Northants	(10+)
08-Jun-2018	:	Barnwell Country Park, Northants	(8)
24-Jun-2014	:	nr Novo Hodzhovo, Bulgaria