Four-spotted Chaser
Libellula quadrimaculata
The male and female are alike with a brownish body, golden marks on the sides of the abdomen and dark tips to the ends of the abdomen. Yellow and black basal wing patches with two black dots on each wing, give the wing a more patterned appearance than in the other two species. Close-up views of this insect can be readily obtained by waiting near its favoured perch. The 'jizz' of the patterned wings can then be seen, making identification easy. It has a long flight period, from early May to the middle of August.
It is the most common and widespread of the county's chasers, being found from coastal areas, heathland pools, ponds, ditches, canals and mineral workings. It is also common and widespread across most of the country.
Distribution map
