Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellua depressa)
With a small pond in the garden, it is inevitable that insects from the surrounding countryside congregate around it.
In particular, the dragonfly family supplies some of the most showy visitors one could have around a water feature!
Although a fairly common species, this Broad Bodied Chaser (Libellua depressa) still makes an impressive sight perched upon some nearby herbacious plants.
The speciman featured here at my pond is undoubtedly a male with its powder blue abdomen. According to Wikipedia and the British Dragonfly Society, the female is a golden brown in colour with yellow spots on the edges of her abdomen.
Excerpt from the British Dragonfly Society
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Description
Length: 39-48mm
The very broad, flattened abdomen is characteristic making the insect appear "fat". Both sexes have pale blue, thin ante-humeral stripes and brown eyes. The wing bases are very dark brown.
The males quickly develop a blue pruinescence on the abdomen with yellow spots along the segment sides.
Females are a golden brown on the abdomen, again with yellow spots at the margins. -
Habitat
This dragonfly is usually found at ponds and may be the first to colonise new ponds. It regularly returns to the same low perch after swift flights along the pond margins. -
Status and Distribution
Widespread and common throughout southern England and Wales.
Excerpt from Wikipedia
- The Broad-bodied Chaser, Libellula depressa, is a European dragonfly. The approximate wing-span of the broad-bodied chaser is 70 millimeters. The dragonfly is mainly found in Wales and Southern England. It is active between the months of May and August.
- Habitat
It is seen near still-water lakes and ponds, and they feed on many types of small insects. - Identification
The female has a brown abdomen with two yellow stripes. The male has a pale blue abdomen. Because of the male's pale blue abdomen, they can be confused with the Black-tailed Skimmer, or Orthetrum cancellatum. Both the male and female broad-bodied chasers have dark brown, triangular patches at the base of all four wings. - Behaviour
Their flight is very fast as they dart and dive above the water looking for food and fighting away rival males and any other Dragonflies they happen to encounter. They characteristically return to a favoured perch, in the sun. They can be hard to get close views of but if seen near some woodland they may allow you to observe them.
References