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Species Information:
Length: 29-34mm
Flight Period: June to October (occasionally early November)
This small heathland and moorland species is the only UK black dragonfly (males). The legs are entirely black. There is a constriction of the abdomen around S4, giving a club-shaped appearance. The pterostigma is black.
Male: become extensively black with maturity with a black frons and thorax. Some yellow markings remain along the sides of the abdomen and thorax.
Females and immature males: have a yellow abdomen and brown thorax marked with a black triangle on top. The side of the thorax and the lower part of the abdomen is strongly marked in black.
Habitat:
A species of peat moss and moorland, breeding in ponds, bog pools and drainage ditches.
Status & Distribution:
Widespread and can be abundant, especially in the north. Local in southern Ireland and eastern and central England.
Similar Species:
The black males are unmistakable but the females resemble other darters. The black panels on the sides and black triangle on the top of the thorax can help.