Fact File on the Broad-bodied Chaser

Habitat

The Broad-bodied Chaser (Latin name: Libellula depressa) tends to be found by ponds and shallow lake margins. They are rarely found in rivers and canals.

Seasonality / Flight Period

Adults generally fly from early May to mid-August, but early and late records would be particularly interesting - if you are not sure, please send a photograph with your record.

Life Cycle

Mating is very brief and usually takes place in the air, lasting only a few seconds. The female will then lay her eggs by dabbing the tip of her abdomen at the surface of the water, while the male guards her by hovering close by. The eggs hatch after a couple of weeks and the dull brown, hairy larva (or nymph) will live underwater for 1-3 years. When fully grown, the larva will climb out of the water onto a leaf or twig and the beautiful winged adult will emerge from the dull larval case. As adults, they only live for about a month, at most.

Behaviour

Males are very territorial: they perch on marginal vegetation to look out for females and will suddenly fly out to battle with other males, returning to their perch after successfully chasing their rivals off.

Distribution of the Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa

The Broad-bodied Chaser is fairly common in southern Britain, being generally distributed throughout Wales and south of the Humber in England (but expanding northwards).

The pale grey circles represent records of the Broad-bodied Chaser received before the year 2000. The dark red circles represent records received in the last six years.