Blue Ground Skimmer (Diplacodes trivialis)

OTHER NAMES: Chalky Percher, Blue Percher

Latin Etymology: Diplacodes (?) trivialis ("common")

Adult female Blue Ground Skimmer (Diplacodes trivialis) at Malacca, Malaysia - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Length: 30-34mm  /  Wingspan: 45-50mm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern  

The Blue Ground Skimmer is a comparatively common species in Malaysia, it has a high degree of sexual dimorphism with the male being the blue that the name suggests while the female is far more predominantly yellow.  It is found thoughout Southern Asia and Australia.  This species breeds in wide varieties of water bodies including ponds, lakes, rice fields and irrigation canals.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata 
Family: Libellulidae 
Genus: Diplacodes 
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - A locally common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Several in Malacca

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Green Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum sabina)

OTHER NAMES: Slender Skimmer, Variegated Green Skimmer
Latin Etymology: Orthetrum ("straight tool") sabina (after a group of women from Roman myth)

Mating pair of Green Marsh Hawk (Orthetrum sabina) at Sungei Buloh, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /    Length: 3.5cm  /  Wingspan: 6-8.5cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

I must admit, by dragonfly standards the green marsh hawk is certainly on the subtler end - it has an almost damselfly like patternation, but with green replacing the blue, and a good deal larger than those species.  My single encounter of this species was at a shallow pool near the entrance of Sungei Buloh, where this pair had their attention on other things.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Orthetrum
SUBSPECIES: unclear?

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - A fairly common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP:Two at Sungei Buloh

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Ditch Jewel (Brachythemis contaminata)

OTHER NAMES: Asian Groundling, Asian Amberwing
Latin Etymology: Brachythemis ("short divine law") contaminata ("contaminated")

Adult male Ditch Jewel (Brachythemis contaminata) at Prek Toal, Cambodia - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 2.1cm  /  Wingspan: 4.6cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A common species of dragonfly found throughout South-East Asia, it was by far the most abundant species we saw at Prek Toal, with large numbers of individuals particularly around the viewing platform, though unfortunately none were willing to stop still long enough to take a good clear photo of.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Brachythemis
SUBSPECIES: unclear?

 - Sighting Locations -

CAMBODIA - Khmer - ?
A common resident.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP: Common at Prek Toal

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Common Parasol (Neurothemis fluctuans)

OTHER NAMES: Red Grasshawk, Grasshawk Dragonfly
Latin Etymology: Neurothermis ("warm divine law"?) fluctuans ("wave")

Adult male Common Parasol (Neurothemis fluctuans) at Sungei Buloh, Singapore - February 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 3.5cm  /  Wingspan: 7.5cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A very striking species of dragonfly found commonly throughout South-East Asia, it shares it's range with the similar Neurothemis terminata which I must admit I am not 100% sure I have correctly differentiated from (although some of the more subtle details seem to match fluctuans better).  This individual was just outside the main visitor centre at Sungei Buloh, enjoying the shallow pond.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Neurothemis
SUBSPECIES: unknown?

 - Sighting Locations -

SINGAPORE - A common resident

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP:Several at Sungei Buloh

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense)

OTHER NAMES: Hairy Hawker, Spring Hawker
Latin Etymology: Brachytron (?) pratense ("meadow")

Adult female Hairy Dragonfly (Brachytron pratense) at Crossness, London - May 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  /  Length: 5.5cm  /  Wingspan: ?
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The smallest hawker dragonfly in the UK, and one belonging to it's own monotypic genus.  It is one of the first dragonfly species to emerge in the UK, first appearing in May, and it's range is increasing Northwards, potentially as a consequence of Climate Change.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Brachytron
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A resident of Sourthern Britain, expanding it's range

 - Seen at Crossness in May 2019

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Foot-tipped Darter (Sympetrum eroticum)

OTHER NAMES: N/A

Latin Etymology: Sympetrum (?) eroticum ("erotic")

Adult male Foot-tipped Darter (subspecies S. e. eroticum) at Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens, Kyoto, Japan - June 2013

Featured Subspecies: Sympetrum eroticum eroticum
Length: 30-42mm  /  Wingspan: 70mm
UK Status: Not Present / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

While watching birds at a small water fountain in Kyoto's Imperial Palace Garden, a small number of these dragonflies were patrolling the area, occasionally landing on the plants long enough to get a proper look at them.  This species took a fair bit of identifying - though it does have an English name (though to what "foot-topped" refers, I don't know) but it ultimately involved going through a list of Japanese dragonflies until I narrowed it down to the right one.  This species seems fairly variable in colour, ranging from bright yellow to bright red and anything in between, as with this individual.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Sympetrum
SUBSPECIES: S. e. ardens, S. e. eroticum

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - マユタ テア カネ  /  Mayutateakane

Locally common resident

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: Seen in Kyoto.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis)

OTHER NAMES: Hairy Dragonfly, Spring Hawker, Amber-winged Hawker

Latin Etymology: Aeshna (?) grandis ("large")

Adult Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis) at Peterborough - Summer 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Length: 73mm  /  Wingspan: 102mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Probably just about the easiest British Dragonfly to identify in the field - even in flight its rust-bronze wings are distinctive, along with its similarly coloured body and blue or lime green spots.  Found throughout much of Europe, and much of England in particular, I have found this a fairly easy species to see, often patrolling forest ridings, but they seem to be even more flighty than most dragonflies, and thus harder to photograph without something between you and them.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
SUBSPECIES: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington, Brigstock and Wellingborough.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator)

OTHER NAMES: Blue Emperor

Latin Etymology: Anax (?) imperator ("emperor")

Adult Emperor Dragonfly (subspecies A. i. imperator) at Wellingborough, Northants - June 2016

Featured Subspecies: Anax imperator imperator
Length: 76mm  /  Wingspan: 106mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The largest of the British dragonflies, and as such, arguably the most powerful insect predator in the country. Emperor Dragonflies are fairly widespread throughout the Summer months.  As nymphs, they are able to feed on small vertebrates such as tadpoles and small fish, while as adults they are able to take larger insects such as butterflies and smaller dragonfly species.  The female markings seen on this individual are green on females.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Anax
SUBSPECIES: A. i. mauricianus, A. i. imperator

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington and Wellingborough.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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Blue-tailed Forest Hawk (Orthetrum triangulare)

OTHER NAMES: Lesser Blue Skimmer, Triangle Skimmer

Latin Etymology: Orthetrum (?) triangulare ("triangular")

Adult Blue-tailed Forest Hawk (subspecies O. t. triangulare) at Arashiyama, Kyoto Japan - July 2013

Featured Subspecies: Orthetrum triangulare triangulare
Length: ?  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Blue-tailed Forest Hawk is a fairly common Dragonfly in Japan - it is found in mountainous forest habitats, where it breeds in small ponds.  This particular individual was found on the rocky paths in the foothills near Arashiyama feeding on the insects on the track up to the Monkey Sanctuary.  For a large dragonfly, it was fairly tolerant of humans and allowed some fairly close views.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Orthetrum
SUBSPECIES: O. t. triangulare, O. c.malaccense

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - 大潮カラートンボ  /  Ooshio-kara-tombo ("Fish Colour Dragonfly")

Resident seen in Summer..

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: A single individual at Arashiyama.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Orthetrum (?) cancellatum ("latticed")

Adult Black-tailed Skimmer (subspecies O. c. cancellatum) at Rainham Marshes, London - July 2011

Featured Subspecies: Orthetrum cancellatum cancellatum
Length: 44-50mm  /  Wingspan: 77mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The male is one of the attractive blue species of dragonfly found in this country, while the female is yellow and black. Differentiated from the other similarly coloured species by the specifics of the black and the bodyshape, it apparently favours bodies of water with open edges where it can land.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata 
Family: Libellulidae 
Genus: Orthetrum 
SUBSPECIES: O. c. cancellatum, O. c. kraepelini, O. c.orientale

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Rainham Marshes and various other sites

Further Notes:  BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa)

OTHER NAMES: Broad-bodied Darter
Latin Etymology: Libellula ("dragonfly") depressa ("suppressed")

Adult male Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa - unknown subspecies) at Geddington, Northants - June 2010

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Length: 39-48mm  /  Wingspan: 70mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A distinctive dragonfly which lives up to its name in indeed having a distinctive broad body - which makes it a lot bulkier than most dragonflies. This above specimen is a male, the females are an ochre-ey yellow. It is supposedly relatively common, but I have only encountered one once.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata 
Family: Libellulidae 
Genus: Libellula
SUBSPECIES: L. d. depressa, L. d. taurica

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Sympetrum (?) striolatum ("striated")

Adult Common Darter (subspecies S. s. striolatum) at Geddington, Northants - August 2009

Featured Subspecies: Sympetrum striolatum striolatum
Length: 38-43mm  /  Wingspan: 57mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Common darters are one of the more numerous dragonflies in Europe. They show a large amount of dimorphism between the sexes - the above picture is a female while males are bright red.  Another species that has a broad range throughout Europe, the Common Darter is on the wing from June to December in Northern Europe.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata 
Family: Libellulidae 
Genus: Sympetrum 
SUBSPECIES: S. s. doshidordzii, S. s. imitoides, S. s. kurile, S. s. pallidum, S. s. striolatum

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington and various other sites

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cyanea)

OTHER NAMES: Blue Hawker
Latin Etymology: Aeshna (?) cyanea ("cyan")

Adult Southern Hawker Hawker (Aeshna cyanea) at Geddington, Northants - August 2009

Featured Subspecies: ?
Length: 70mm  /  Wingspan: 85-110mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Southern Hawkers are one of the larger common species of dragonfly found in the UK, they are found over slow moving or still water and can often be found in woodland, as with this one.  While common over much of Europe, the North African population is considered Endangered.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata 
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
SUBSPECIES: None - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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Lake Darner (Aeshna eremita)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Aeshna (possibly from "spear") eremita ("hermit")

Adult Lake Darner (Aeshna eremita) )at Anchorage, Alaska - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: ?  /  Length: 7.5cm  /  Wingspan: 15cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The largest "darner" dragonfly of North America, found in the Northern of the Lower 48 through to Canada and Alaska. This species prefers a slightly more wooded habitat that many dragonfly species which matches where I saw it in a forested clearing in Anchorage. It is closely related to the Canada Darner but it's range extends much further North.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Aeshnidae
Genus: Aeshna
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Present in Alaska, Canada and Northern States of Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Alaska

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Hudsonian whiteface (Leucorrhinia hudsonica)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Leucorrhinia ("white nose") hudsonica (of the Hudson) 

Adult male Hudsonian whiteface (Leucorrhinia hudsonica) in Alberta, Canada - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: ?  /  Length: 3cm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS /  IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

Despite the name, the Hudsoniah Whiteface isn't overly connected to the Hudson Bay, with other significant populations centres being in New England, the Great Lakes and the Rockies. The female is differentiated from the male shown here by having yellow panels replacing the red ones.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata 
Family: Libellulidae 
Genus: Leucorrhinia 
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Widespread
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - One seen in Alberta

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Eight-spotted skimmer (Libellula forensis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Libellula ("dragonfly") forensis

Adult Eight-spotted skimmer (Libellula forensis) in Montana, USA- July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: ?  /  Length: 44-50mm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species largely of the Western United States found from South Dakota into Alberta in the North and California in the South. They are on the wing from April to October. The spotting of the name refers to the dark spots on each side, however, it is also noteworthy in this regard as one of the few skimmer species to have white wing spots on both male and female individuals. It is a near endemic of the USA, only just crossing the Canadian border.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata 
Family: Libellulidae 
Genus: Libellula 
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Found in Western Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Montana

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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