Description

Over all length 39 - 48mm. The male has a blue abdomen with yellow lines along its sides and blue shoulder stripes on the thorax. The female is olive coloured but also with yellow lines and yellow shoulder stripes, and can look a little like a Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata, but the abdomen is obviously wider. Both sexes have dark markings at the bases of their wings.

Habitat

Normally one of the first dragonflies to colonise a new water body, as it prefers open ponds and ditches. Once the water is more vegetated they tend to move on. Seen on the new dragonfly scrapes at the reserve.

Status and distribution

Can be found across most of the southern half of Britain. There are normally a few each season at the reserve.

Best time to see

Mid-May to early August.