Emperor Dragonfly, Anax imperator

Size

Large; body length 50mm to 60mm.

Colour-patterning

Males have a green thorax with a pair of blue transverse, oblique, blue bands on each side immediately in front of the forewings. There are a pair of blue longitudinal bands running down the length of the abdomen on either side of a black central band. Females

are very similarly patterned but are green throughout although their green abdominal bands may become blue with age.

Behaviour

Of all the large dragonflies, this species is most closely associated with still water and spends most of its time patrolling its territory, settling periodically on marginal vegetation. It is shy and easily disturbed at rest. It often takes its prey, caught in flight, onto adjacent grasslands or shrubs to eat. This species is usually immediately identifiable by the way its abdomen is slightly down-curved in flight. Females lay their eggs in submerged or floating vegetation.

Where to look for it

The Emperor Dragonfly is largely restricted to larger bodies of still water although it may also visit small garden ponds. It is not restricted to fresh water and may frequent brackish water such as the Crabtree Reclaim. It is to be seen most frequently with the open waters found in Efford Marsh and Forder Valley Local Nature Reserves.

Distribution and status

It is locally common in Plymouth.

When to look for it

Any time between June and October.

Similar species

The blue or green abdominal stripes separated by a median black stripe make this species difficult to confuse with other local dragonflies.

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