Emperor Dragonfly
Anax imperator
This record describes Anax imperator (species). Recorded family: Aeshnidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
This is one of Europe's largest dragonflies. The male is easy to identify with its apple green thorax and bright blue abdomen and blue eyes. The female is mostly green and also has the apple green thorax. Large ponds, lakes, canals and slow moving rivers are the preferred habitat of the Emperor Dragonfly, particular those with abundant submerged and floating vegetation. The male circumnavigates its territory and chases off any other dragonfly that comes near. Each pair of wings moves in a different motion, giving the impression of a helicopter. Widespread but not common in England south of the Humber and Wales, little recorded elsewhere in Britain. With just a handful of records prior to 1980 and similarly few in the succeeding decade, this is another species that can be considered a recent colonist to VC 55. There has been a huge upsurge in records of this distinctive dragonfly since 1990 and it is now distributed widely through VC 55 in suitable habitat.
Wikipedia reference for Anax imperator: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_(dragonfly).
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Large ponds, lakes, canals and slow moving rivers are the preferred habitat of the Emperor Dragonfly, particular those with abundant submerged and floating vegetation.
Seasonal Activity
June to August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The male circumnavigates its territory and chases off any other dragonfly that comes near. Each pair of wings moves in a different motion, giving the impression of a helicopter.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread but not common in England south of the Humber and Wales, little recorded elsewhere in Britain.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Anax imperator. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Odonata includes ~6,000 described species of dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects, reaching 36 mph (58 km/h). They can fly in any direction including backward, and hover in place - each wing operates independently.
Ecological role of the group
Dragonflies predate dinosaurs by nearly 100 million years - fossils date to 325 million years ago. The largest dragonfly ancestor, Meganeuropsis permiana (285 mya), had a 75cm wingspan, enabled by atmospheric oxygen levels of 31-35% compared to today's 21%. Dragonflies have a 95% hunting success rate - the highest of any predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Dragonflies are voracious predators that consume hundreds of mosquitoes daily, providing natural pest control worth millions in reduced mosquito-borne disease risk. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Recorded sources for this group: Natural History Museum London, Britannica, fossil record research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Emperor Dragonfly (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Emperor Dragonfly
What is Emperor Dragonfly?
Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) is a species in the family Aeshnidae, within the order Odonata.
Where is Emperor Dragonfly found?
Habitat: Large ponds, lakes, canals and slow moving rivers are the preferred habitat of the Emperor Dragonfly, particular those with abundant submerged and floating vegetation.
When is Emperor Dragonfly active?
Emperor Dragonfly: seasonal activity - June to August..
What is the life cycle of a Emperor Dragonfly?
The male circumnavigates its territory and chases off any other dragonfly that comes near. Each pair of wings moves in a different motion, giving the impression of a helicopter.