This impressive dragonfly, the Emperor, is on the wing from June to August. It is rarely found away from water, its habitat being large ponds and lakes as well as canals and ditches. One of the largest dragonfly species in Europe, it catches its prey such as butterflies in mid-air and may even eat on the wing. The female does not have the showy colours of the male and, with her appearance predominantly green, she lays her eggs in floating pondweed. The young - called nymphs - can take up to a year to develop into winged adults, far longer than the dragonfly's sad lifespan averaging 10 days. They will rarely reach old age as have many predators (due to their eye-catching colour) and, it is for this reason, that for a large part of their lives, they remain airborne. Male dragonflies will fight to the death over territory.

You need to login or register to write reviews. It's quick! We only ask four questions to new members.