David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital
Video Images
____________________________________ Dragonflies
and Damselflies 67 – Emperor Dragonflies
EMPEROR DRAGONFLY Anax imperator (f),
COMMON BLUE DAMSELFLY Enallagma cyathigerum (m)
EMPEROR
DRAGONFLY Anax imperator (f), COMMON BLUE DAMSELFLY Enallagma
cyathigerum (m)
EMPEROR
DRAGONFLY Anax imperator (f), COMMON BLUE DAMSELFLY Enallagma
cyathigerum (m)
EMPEROR
DRAGONFLIES Anax imperator (f)
EMPEROR
DRAGONFLIES Anax imperator (f)
EMPEROR
DRAGONFLIES Anax imperator (f)
EMPEROR
DRAGONFLY Anax imperator (f), COMMON BLUE DAMSELFLY Enallagma
cyathigerum (m)
EMPEROR
DRAGONFLIES Anax imperator (f)
EMPEROR DRAGONFLY Anax imperator (f)
EMPEROR DRAGONFLY Anax imperator (f)
EMPEROR DRAGONFLY Anax imperator (f)
EMPEROR
DRAGONFLIES Anax imperator (f)
EMPEROR
DRAGONFLIES Anax imperator (f)
EMPEROR
DRAGONFLY Anax imperator (f)
EMPEROR
DRAGONFLIES Anax imperator (f)
EMPEROR DRAGONFLIES Anax imperator (f)
EMPEROR
DRAGONFLY Anax imperator (f) EMPEROR DRAGONFLY Anax imperator
(f), COMMON BLUE DAMSELFLY Enallagma cyathigerum (m)
- The Emperor
Dragonfly Anax imperator is
common and widespread in southern England. It is one of the largest and
most splendid of British dragonflies. The abdomen curves downwards when
the insect is in flight and this is a useful identification feature,
particularly when observing them from a distance. Females are shown
ovipositing in all these photographs, and it is not uncommon to observe
damselflies using them as opportunistic (albeit temporary) perches, as
shown above. Male Common Blue Damselflies or Common Bluets Enallagma cyathigerum
may be seen doing this in several of these photographs. There is an
increasing possibility of seeing migrant Lesser Emperors Anax
parthenope in Britain, and there is
certainly a distinct possibility that this insect may become established (although
sporadic breeding may not indicate truly resident status. The blue
markings are much less extensive in this species, so the patrolling males
should be possible to separate without difficulty.
- David’s film of a female
Emperor Dragonfly ovipositing may be seen at: https://youtu.be/vWr_J3I4tUw.
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