Species of the Month: Emperor Dragonfly

Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator

This large and distinctive species, Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator was formerly a very scarce and infrequent visitor to SW Scotland. The males are probably our most colourful large dragonfly, with a bright green thorax and extensive blue marking on the abdomen. The females are similar but show less blue on the abdomen (sometimes an all-green form). In flight they appear to have a drooping abdomen, and seldom settle.

Emperor Dragonflies can occur on a variety of stillwater habitats, including  larger garden ponds. The first confirmed local breeding attempts were noted in a garden pond on the Colvend coast, Kirkcudbrightshire.

First recorded in 2001, there were only a handful of sightings each year until 2020, and thereafter the number of records each year has increased significantly. The species appears to have established well in the south and east of the region, and is becoming a regular at ponds in the Carrick Hills in Ayrshire. A female was recorded ovipositing at Shewalton Sandpits SWT reserve in 2024.

At present there is a large gap between D&G and Ayrshire records, so please keep a look out for Emperors at ponds in the Galloway Forest Park, Wigtownshire and Ayrshire to help fill gaps in distribution as they continue to spread across the region.

Mark Pollitt

SWSEIC Manager