Emperor Dragonfly
Anax imperator
Length 78mm
A large dragonfly. Recognised by dark dorsal line running length of abdomen; colour of abdomen sky blue in male but greenish blue in female. Extremely active and wary. Associated with lakes, ponds and canals and characteristically hunts over open water, away from margins. Confined mainly to S England but there locally common. Flies from June­August. Head of nymph rounded in outline.