Species Information:
Length: 53mm
Flight Period: was recorded in England between mid-June and July (in Europe, flies June to August)
The Orange-spotted Emerald has bright green eyes and yellow or orange, elongated spots along the length of the dorsal surface of the abdomen. The thorax and ground colour of the slender abdomen is bronzy-green. S10 shows a yellowish dorsal mark, quite noticeable in flight.
Male: a slightly waisted abdomen.
Female: more parallel sided and the leading edges of the wings are suffused with yellow.
Habitat:
Associated with muddy, slow-flowing rivers and streams.
Status & Distribution:
Extinct in Britain, probably due to pollution of its last known habitat on the Moors river in Dorset. Last recorded in 1957.
Similar Species:
The orange-yellow spots are characteristic but it could possibly be confused with other emerald dragonflies.