Insect ðª²
ðª²
Anax imperator
| Size | 66â84 mm body; 97â106 mm wingspan UK's largest dragonfly â wingspan the width of your hand |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1 g About the weight of a paperclip |
| Lifespan | 1â4 years as larva; 4â6 weeks as adult |
| Rarity | Common |
| M vs F | Males are sky blue with a black dorsal stripe; females are green â both large and powerfully built |
| Habitat | Large lakes, ponds, gravel pits, slow rivers with open water and emergent vegetation |
| Best time | JuneâAugust |
| Conservation | UK: Green LC |
Did you know?
The Emperor Dragonfly is one of the most powerful aerial hunters in the world â it catches prey in mid-air with a success rate of over 90%, far higher than most birds of prey
The Emperor Dragonfly is one of the most powerful aerial hunters in the world â it catches prey in mid-air with a success rate of over 90%, far higher than most birds of prey
More for experts
Larvae (nymphs) are ambush predators that can shoot out a hinged jaw (the "mask") in 25 milliseconds to catch tadpoles, small fish and other invertebrates
Often confused with
Hairy Dragonfly (smaller, hairy thorax, emerges earlier), Blue-tailed Damselfly (much smaller, slender)
Hairy Dragonfly (smaller, hairy thorax, emerges earlier), Blue-tailed Damselfly (much smaller, slender)