ADULT: Wingspan - 60mm. Approximate overall
length - 42mm. Teneral males are similar to mature females with
yellowish-brown abdomens which have a dark median line running the full
extent of the dorsal surface. Immatures have dark sides to the
abdomen and largish amber patches towards the wing bases. The male
has powdery-blue abdomen. Both sexes have pale thoracic stripes
and yellow pterostigma. LARVA: 16-25mm when fully grown.
Territorial. Located in underwater vegetation. Hairy. BEHAVIOUR: Males are very territorial and fly low and
erratically over their chosen area. Females usually frequent long
grassy areas and never fly far at any one time. HABITAT: Inhabits sphagnum bogs and watery areas
associated with acidic wet heathland. FLIGHT PERIOD: From June to mid-September. STATUS: Increasing in Southern Britain.
Localised in Ireland, northern England and western Scotland. |
