IDENTITY RECORD

Emperor Dragonfly

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Anax imperator

DescrIption

I am the largest species of dragonfly in Europe, measuring between 70 and 85 mm with a wingspan of up to 110 mm. You can easily recognize me in flight from the bright green coloration of my thorax and blue of my abdomen (males).

Behavior

Diet

I live on small insects.

Reproduction

I lay my eggs on stagnant plants on the water’s surface that hatch three to six weeks later.

Where and when can you find me in the reserve ?

Habitat

I live close to stagnant or very slow flowing water (ponds, ox-bow lakes and sometimes canals).

When to spot me

You can spot me patrolling the water’s edge from April to October.

Conservation status

• Red list of Odonata in metropolitan France: Least Concern (LC).
• Red list of endangered Odonata in Alsace: Least Concern (LC).