Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator)
Emperors are the dragonflies that most people know.
They like most habitats and can turn up anywhere in Somerset.
The males have a striking blue abdomen with a dark line down the centre.
The females tend to be slightly bigger and have a dullish green abdomen again with a dark line down the middle.
They can overlap with other hawker species but are generally different enough not to be confused with them.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male (Elderly)
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Teneral / Newly Emerged
Female (Teneral / Newly Emerged)
Female (Teneral / Newly Emerged)
Female (Teneral / Newly Emerged)
Female (Teneral / Newly Emerged)
Egg Laying
Egg Laying
Egg Laying
Male Feeding
Male Feeding
Female Feeding on Four Spot Chaser
Want to See
Common all over Somerset, from the Levels to the Mendips, Quantocks and Exmoor.
They like multiple habitats; ponds, rivers, fields, wetlands, etc.
On the levels they arrive early, you'll see newly emerged ones in mid to late May and flying around properly by June. The higher you go the later they are, the Mendips, Quantocks and Exmoor will be more like July.
Especially Good
SWT Catcott - Heath Area - (Early June) - Seems to be a great feeding area for them
RSPB Ham Wall - Route 2 (June)
SWT Westhay - Mire (June)
Priddy Pools (Mendips) (July)
Pinkworthy Pond (Exmoor) (July)
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