Lower Moor Farm NR, Wiltshire, U.K.
Family : Libellulidae
Subfamily : Libellulinae
Species : Libellula quadrimaculata
A medium-sized dragonfly with a total body length of 39-48mm. Widely distributed but localised throughout much of Europe spreading eastwards through Turkey, Russia and Central Asia to Korea, China, and Japan. It is also found in Australia and parts of North America. Flying time in Europe is from May to late August. Males are aggressive and very territorial.
Found near shallow and well-vegetated freshwater ponds, lakes, and sometimes slow-moving rivers, with plenty of emergent vegetation and usually situated within, or close to, deciduous woodland. Mating takes place on the wing and the females then hover over the water surface, dropping her eggs which sink down to adhere to submerged vegetation. The resultant larvae live for about two years amongst the vegetation and muddy debris at the bottom of their pond before climbing out of the water to complete their transformation into adults.
All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects.
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