ADULT: Wingspan - 35mm.
Approximate overall length - 31mm. A vast range of colour forms
occur which can make identification a total headache. Typical
males (fig 1) are blackish with blue thoracic markings and a blue
segment 8. Females can be similar in pattern or be a combination
of black, blue, green, orange and violet markings.
Immature males have a green thorax which changes to blue after 5-7
days. Both sexes have a two-coloured pterostigma. LARVA: 20-25mm when fully grown.
Located amongst aquatic vegetation. BEHAVIOUR: Males are distinctly
territorial. Both sexes rarely wander far from water and are
active even in cloudy weather. Low flyers and have a tendency to
congregate around waterside vegetation. HABITAT: Almost any lowland waters. FLIGHT PERIOD: May - September. STATUS: Common throughout except in
upland areas. |
