Odonata (Anisoptera) - Dragonflies
Dragonflies are larger than damselflies, and rest with wings outstretched. Larvae are aquatic predators.
Return to Insect Index
Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta Latreille, 1805
- Cambridge: male (left) 5 Aug 2001, female (right) 12 Aug 2002.
- Both sexes have the "T" mark on the thorax, the tranverse stripe on the male is interrupted.
- A little over 60mm long.
- Once a migrant to Britain, now an incrasingly common resident.
- NBN Atlas
Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa (Linnaeus, 1758)
 |
- Cambridge, Sheeps Green TL447575; 20 Jun 2017
- Sometimes listed as Ladona depressa
- Male, showing the large dark areas at the wing bases.
- Mostly found over shallow water with little movement.
- NBN Atlas
|
Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum (Linnaeus, 1758)
 |
- Cambridge Science Park TL464618; 26 Jun 2002
- From this angle it is hard to see whether the abdomen is flattened as in Libellula depressa (above).
However L. depressa has blue on the abdomen almost to the tip, and dark wing roots which would be visible from here.
- NBN Atlas
|
Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum (Müller, 1764)
Male. Cambridge - Barnwell East Nature Reserve TL479583; 29 July 2014.
Male Ruddy Darters have abdomen uniform reddish with extensive black markings on the lower surface. Legs are entirely black.
Compared to Common Darters there is more of a bulge towards the tail, and the insect is small even by Darter standards.
NBN Atlas
Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum (Charpentier, 1840)
Male (l): 3 Sept 2002.
Female (r): 9 Sept 2000.
Male Common Darters have pale areas on the abdomen. Legs have pale longitudinal bands (this distinction also applies to females).
NBN Atlas
Return to Insect Index
