Golden-ringed dragonfly
| Golden-ringed dragonfly | |
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_male.jpg)
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| male Fermyn Woods, Northamptonshire | |
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| Species: | C. boltonii
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| Binomial name | |
| Cordulegaster boltonii (Donovan, 1807)
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The golden-ringed dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) is a large, striking dragonfly and the longest British species,[1] the only member of its genus to be found in the United Kingdom.[2]
Identification
They are easily identified by their distinctive black and yellow stripes, which no other dragonfly in the United Kingdom has.[3] A very large species, males average 74 mm and the larger females 84 mm. Wingspan is up to 101 mm.[4]
Larvae
The female lays the eggs in shallow water. The hairy larvae live at the bottom of the water and are well camouflaged amongst the silt.[5] They emerge after about 2–5 years, and usually under the cover of darkness.
Behaviour
They are often seen flying leisurely over mountain streams or a river; they also occasionally show up at a pond. They are also typically seen flying over heath land. Their bright yellow and black stripes make them easy to identify, even from a fair distance away. They feed mainly on insects ranging from small prey such as midges to flies, butterflies and even bumblebees. This strikingly-coloured insect is incredibly aerobatic and they sometimes fly very high up into the sky.[6]
See also
External links
Media related to Cordulegaster boltonii at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Cordulegaster boltonii at Wikispecies
References
- ^ "Cordulegaster boltonii". British Dragonfly Society. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
- ^ "Golden-ringed dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii)". ARKive. Retrieved February 7, 2008.
- ^ "UK Safari". Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ http://www.arkive.org/golden-ringed-dragonfly/cordulegaster-boltonii/
- ^ "Wild Scotland". Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Dragonflies at Plas Farm". Retrieved 2008-02-07.
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