Broad-bodied Chaser
Libellula depressa
Length 43mm

Has broad, flattened abdomen with wings which are dark brown at base. Abdomen of mature male is sky blue with small yellow spots on sides of segments; in female and immature males, abdomen is brown with conspicuous yellow spots on side. Favours ponds and canals. Actively hawks for insects but also uses regular perches from which aerial forays are made in pursuit of prey. Flies May-August. Common only in S England. Squat nymph lives buried in silt at bottom of pond.