Libellula quadrimaculata - Four-spotted Chaser
Probably female - sexes are very similar
Male of the colour form praenubila
Probably female - sexes are very similar
Adult emerging from larval skin
Exuvia (male, top view)
This link will take you to a sequence of photos and a short film of emergence of L. quadrimaculata. (Opens in a new window).
Description
Length: 39-48mm
This rather uniformly brown dragonfly is quite active in late spring and summer.
The sexes are alike with a brown abdomen becoming darker towards the rear, a brown thorax and brown eyes.
The is a row of yellow spots along each side of the abdomen.
The most noticeable feature is the colouring of the wings.
The nodus (half-way along the leading edge of each wing) has a very dark spot, which gives the insect its name.
The wing bases are also very dark and a colour form praenubila has a general darkening of the wing tips.
Habitat
Found at the margins of shallow ponds and lakes which have good emergent vegetation and some open water.
Status and Distribution
Common throughout the British Isles.
Distribution map from the National Biodiversity Network Gateway (opens in new window).
Similar species
Could possibly be confused with females of other Chaser dragonflies but the dark spots at the nodus of the wing are distinctive and diagnostic.