About Libellula depressa Linnaeus, 1758
Identification: Libellula depressa has a total body length between 39 and 48 mm, with an average wingspan of approximately 70 mm. Both males and females have a broad, flattened brown abdomen marked with yellow patches along its sides. Mature males develop a layer of blue pruinosity that covers the underlying brown abdominal color. Both forewings and hindwings have a dark patch at their base, and both sexes have broad antehumeral stripes. This dragonfly is very distinctive and cannot be confused with any other dragonfly species in its region. Distribution and habitat: Libellula depressa occurs across central and southern Europe, central Asia, and the Middle East. Its range extends north to England, southern Sweden, and southern Finland, and it lives on several Mediterranean islands including Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, and Menorca. Historically, its distribution did not reach Scotland, but limited populations have now become established there. It is not present in Ireland or North Africa. This species is found near still lakes and ponds, where it feeds on many types of small insects. It occupies both sunny, open sites and well-vegetated ponds, and it is often the first dragonfly species to colonize new habitats such as recently created ponds. Adults are very mobile, and individuals typically move away from water for a maturation period after emergence. They are also migratory, and can often be observed far from water bodies.
