Description

Over all length 39 to 48mm. Both sexes are metallic green, without any blue pruinescence or blue eyes.

Habitat

Standing water or very slow moving streams. The males display and defend territories where woody branches overhang the water. The females lay eggs by cutting slots in overhanging woody stems and the nymphs drop out into the water when they hatch.

Status and distribution

Rapidly colonising the UK from the south and east and recently arrived in Nottinghamshire. The first record for Netherfield Lagoons was in 2021, with the population rapidly growing since then. On one date six pairs in tandem were noticed ovipositing into rose stems above the Small Gravel Pit.

Best time to see

July to October.