Golden-ringed dragonfly
Male in Fermyn Woods, Northamptonshire, UK
Female in Arne, Dorset, UK
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Cordulegastridae
Genus: Cordulegaster
Species:
C. boltonii
Binomial name
Cordulegaster boltonii
(Donovan, 1807)
Synonyms
  • Libellula grandis Scopoli, 1763 (Preocc.)
  • Libellula forcipata Harris, 1780 (Preocc.)
  • Aeshna annulata Latreille, 1805 (Preocc.)
  • Libellula boltonii Donovan, 1807
  • Cordulegaster boltoni Auctt. (Missp.)
  • Cordulegaster lunulata Charpentier, 1840
  • Cordulegaster annulatus immaculifrons Selys, 1850
  • Cordulegaster annulatus intermedius Selys, 1857
  • Cordulegaster boltonii intermedia (Selys, 1857)
  • Aeschna lorenzonii Disconzi, 1865
  • Cordulegaster algerica Morton, 1916
  • Cordulegaster algirica Auctt. (Missp.)
  • Cordulegaster boltonii iberica Boudot & Jacquemin 1995

The golden-ringed dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) is a large, striking species of dragonfly found widely in Europe and locally in northwestern Africa, especially near flowing waters like streams.[1] It is the longest British species of dragonfly,[2] and the only member of its genus to be found in the United Kingdom.[3]

Identification

In the United Kingdom, they are easily identified by their distinctive black and yellow stripes, which is not found in any other dragonfly in the country.[4] A very large species, males average 74 mm (2.9 in) and the longer females average 84 mm (3.3 in). Wingspan is up to 101 mm (4.0 in).[5] The female is the longest British dragonfly, in part due to the unusually long ovipositor,[2] and in other measurements it is exceeded by the emperor (Anax imperator).[6]

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.[7] 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.[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Paulson, D.R. (2020). "Cordulegaster boltonii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T165509A140511553. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T165509A140511553.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Cordulegaster boltonii". British Dragonfly Society. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  3. ↑ "Golden-ringed dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii)". ARKive. Archived from the original on 2007-11-13. Retrieved February 7, 2008.
  4. ↑ "UK Safari". Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  5. ↑ "Golden-ringed dragonfly videos, photos and facts - Cordulegaster boltonii - ARKive". Archived from the original on 2013-12-04. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  6. ↑ "Emperor". British Dragonfly Society. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  7. ↑ "Wild Scotland". Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  8. ↑ "Dragonflies at Plas Farm". Archived from the original on 2008-02-13. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
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