Shropshire Birder
Dragonflies and Damselflies of Shropshire
Sample menu:
Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator)
Britain's largest Dragonfly, on the wing from June to August. It is instantly recognisable on size and the bright colouration , plus the habit of seemingly unending flight as it patrols margins and reed beds. A wide variety of habitats are used including ponds lakes and slow flowing rivers. Both sexes have an apple green thorax, males have a largely bright blue addomen which in females and immatures is dull to pale green.
A male Emperor Dragonfly at rest, predominently sky blue abdomen and striking apple green thorax, it's unmistakable ....
Seen closer, the 'greenish blue' eyes are actually green shading into blue. The two tiny claws at the tip of the tarsi provide incredible grip ....
A teneral female Emperor Dragonfly, hanging onto vegetation whilst the wings harden - ready for that maiden flight! ....
A different view, the pale green abdomen is marked with brown on both sexes at this age....
Seen in close up, the apple green thorax does not have any black markings.....
A flight shot of a male with the unmistakable green thorax and bright blue abdomen....
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