Dragonflies and damselflies

How do I know it’s a dragonfly?

Think you’ve spotted a dragonfly? Learn the tell-tale signs that set these aerial acrobats apart.

What exactly are dragonflies?

Dragonflies are large, flying insects with long, slender bodies and dazzling wings. They belong to a group called Odonata (which means "tooth" in Greek - don't worry, they won’t bite you!). There are two types: dragonflies (Anisoptera) and damselflies (Zygoptera).

What’s the difference between dragonflies and damselflies?

Damselflies are delicate insects, with eyes on each side of their rectangular head. They have a fluttering flight, with the front and back pairs of wings equal size. When the damselfly is resting, the wings are usually held closed.

Dragonflies generally tend to be the larger, bulker cousins, with eyes that meet in the middle of their spherical head. Their front wings are narrower than their hindwings and when resting, both pairs are held wide open. They’re fast flyers, with some of the larger hawkers able to fly at 15 metres a second or the equivalent of around 30 miles per hour.

Ready to become a dragonfly expert? Our handy Dragonfly Spotter Sheet will get you started on your adventure.

How big are dragonflies?

In the UK, dragonflies can grow up to around 85 mm long, with wings spanning a mighty 120 mm! That’s the size of a ball point pen. That's the size of our larger "hawker" dragonflies, like the emperor and brown hawker. On the flip side, we have their daintier cousins - damselflies! These delicate flyers are much smaller and a bit more graceful. The biggest damselflies in the UK are the demoiselles, measuring about 50 mm in length and a wingspan of around 60 mm.

How long have dragonflies been on earth?

Dragonflies have been around for a long time – over 300 million years, since before even the dinosaurs. Some prehistoric dragonflies had wingspans as wide as 71 cm or 2.5 feet – that’s about the same as a kestrel.

Where do dragonflies live?

Wondering where to spot a dragonfly? From glistening ponds to lazy rivers, we’ll suggest the best places where you can find these shimmering flyers in action.

Where can I find dragonflies?

Dragonflies love wetlands! Try searching for dragonflies and damselflies over any wetland area during the summer months, even canals and ditches and you’ll likely find at least one species in flight. You can also find them along nearby hedgerows or woodland edges where they hunt or rest.

WWT wetland centres are some of the best places to see these wonderful insects in the wild. Thanks to our carefully managed wetlands dragonflies and damselflies are thriving across all our sites, with WWT London, WWT Caerlaverock and WWT Steart Marshes all being designated hotspots by the British Dragonfly Society.

When can I see dragonflies in the UK?

Dragonflies emerge in late spring and early summer, and they’re in full swing by mid-summer. That’s when you’ll see them zooming around wetlands in search of food, mates, and the perfect spot to land, especially when the sun’s out.

Dragonfly behaviour

Ever wondered how dragonflies hunt, fly and see the world and whether they bite or sting? (Spoiler alert: they’re all flash, no sting!)

How do dragonflies fly?

Talk about aerial acrobatics! Dragonflies can fly forward, backward, hover in place, and even zip sideways - very handy for catching their dinner mid-air. With their four independent wings, they’re the aerial athletes of the insect world.

How fast can dragonflies fly?

They’ve been known to zip through the air at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, although that’s usually the larger species like hawkers. Smaller species, especially damselflies are generally slower.

Do dragonflies bite or sting?

Good news: dragonflies don’t bite humans! Their sharp jaws are only used for catching and munching on smaller insects. They’re harmless to us - so no need to worry about those fierce-looking mandibles. Although if held in the hand, they will sometimes try to bite, but they won’t be able to break your skin. And while they have a lot of names that imply that they can sting, like ‘horse-stinger’, they don’t use their egg-laying tube or ovipositor for stinging.

What do dragonflies eat?

Dragonflies are skilled hunters. In fact, they’re such incredible predators, that as adults they catch 95% of the prey they chase. They take a range of small insects in flight like mosquitoes, flies, moths, and other small insects. Hawker dragonflies will even take butterflies. In their larval form as nymphs they live a subaquatic life, preying on underwater insects, other nymphs, tadpoles and even small fish.

How do dragonflies see?

Some scientists have described dragonflies as seeing in ultra-HD or in ultra multi-colour, thanks to the 30,000 individual lenses their eyes are made from. Dragonflies also have 360-degree vision and nearly 80 percent of their brain is dedicated to its sight. This means they can see almost everything around them at once making them expert hunters and dodgers of other predators. Dragonfly vision is also thought to be like slow mo for humans, with dragonflies seeing faster than we do at around 200 images per second, compared to 60 per second for humans.

How long do dragonflies live?

Dragonflies go through three life stages: egg, nymph (larvae), and adult. While they spend several years as nymphs underwater, their adult life is much shorter - usually just a few weeks to a few months. During this time, they’re busy eating and mating (and looking fabulous while doing it).

Helping dragonflies

Want to give dragonflies a helping hand? It’s easier than you think and it starts right in your own garden.

Are dragonflies endangered in the UK?

While many dragonfly species are doing just fine, some are facing challenges. Habitat loss, climate change, and water pollution are impacting their populations. That’s why at WWT we’re working hard to restore and protect wetland habitats, so dragonflies (and other wildlife) have the homes they need to thrive.

Why are dragonflies so important?

Aside from their beauty, dragonflies are amazing natural pest controllers. As adults, they feast on mosquitoes, midges, and other bugs, helping to keep those pesky creatures in check. Plus, dragonflies are a sign of a healthy wetland ecosystem - they’re nature’s indicators! When dragonflies are thriving, you know the wetland where they live is in good shape.

How can I help dragonflies in the UK?

Dragonflies rely on wetlands to breed and live. So, protecting and creating these habitats is key to ensuring their survival. Creating a pond or mini-wetland in your garden is one of the best things you can do to help dragonflies. Cutting down on pesticides is another great way to help.

Plus, by visiting one of our WWT sites, you’re supporting our mission to protect wetland wildlife like dragonflies and their wetland homes.

What dragonfly and damselfly species live in the UK

Globally dragonflies can be found on every continent except Antarctica, with over 5,000 species flying around the globe.

In this guide we’ve covered the 30 species that are widespread or common in certain areas of the UK. Colours of the thorax (the body part where the wings attach) and abdomen (the long, tail like part) are often key to identification!

Damselflies

Banded demoiselle

Calopteryx splendens

Fluttering with slow, butterfly-like wingbeats, the males are instantly recognisable with their broad, dark wing patches and metallic green bodies, whereas the females show greenish wings.

Where to look: Common in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; search through waterside vegetation along slow-flowing rivers and streams with muddy beds.

When to look: First emerging in May, the key flight period is June and July, but they might be seen into September.

With a blue tone to the body colour and shining, solid dark blue wings, the males of this species look like flying jewels. The females have brown wings and can be distinguished from beautiful demoiselle by having a white wing spot.

Where to look: Common in Wales and southern and western England, they can be seen in the same habitat as the banded demoiselle but are more likely to be seen in fast flowing streams and rivers, with gravel or sand beds. Normally perched on waterside vegetation.

When to look: First emerging in May, the key flight period is June and July, but they might be seen into September.

A metallic green damselfly, with the male showing some blue on thorax and end of abdomen. Female is a dark metallic green all over.

Where to look: Common throughout much of the UK in a wide range of waterbodies, especially those with emergent vegetation.

When to look: First emerging in June, the key flight period is July and August, but they might be seen into September.

A small damselfly, the male is pale blue and the female more cream/pale green, both with some black markings. They get their name from the hind legs being wide and white.

Where to look: Usually found near slow-flowing rivers and streams but only in south and central England and into parts of Wales too.

When to look: First emerging in May, they can be seen throughout June and July and into August.

Large reds are hard to miss, with their red abdomen with black segments towards the tip, which are more extensive in females.

Where to look: Common in wetland habitats throughout the UK.

When to look: First emerging in April, they can be seen throughout the summer months and into September in upland areas.

The most widespread of the blue-and-black damselflies, they’re best separated from other blue damselflies by the broad pale stripe on the side of the thorax and two blue segments near the tip of the abdomen. Females have broad pale markings on the thorax and black 'rocket' shapes on the abdomen.

Where to look: Common throughout the UK especially at large ponds and lakes.

When to look: First emerging towards the end of April, they can be seen throughout the summer months and well into September.

A slightly darker blue than the common blue, the male azure is best identified by narrow blue stripes on the thorax and small black markings in the furthest of the two blue segments near the tip of the abdomen. Females however share the male’s narrow pale thorax stripe, but usually appear green-blue, with a mainly black abdomen.

Where to look: Common in wetlands throughout the UK, but not in the uplands of northern England or in northern Scotland.

When to look: First emerging in April, they can be seen throughout the summer months.

Males are best identified by the broken blue stripes on the thorax and the ‘wine goblet’ shaped mark on the second segment of their abdomen (‘U’-shaped in Azure). The abdomen generally shows a lot more extensive of black, although this can vary between individuals! Females usually show black on the abdomen than female Azure.

Where to look: Patchily distributed throughout the UK, requiring well-vegetated waters, often in fens.

When to look: First emerging in late April, they can be seen throughout May, June, July and into August.

Males show red eyes, a black thorax with blue sides and black abdomen, aside from the first and last segments which are all blue. The females are mainly black but their thorax has green sides and a little blue between segments on the abdomen.

Where to look: Common in much of central, southern and eastern England. Often seen settled on lily pads or other floating vegetation.

When to look: First emerging in late April, they can be seen throughout the summer months and into September.

Much the same in looks as the red-eyed damselfly, the crucial difference on males is a blue wedge on the side of the abdomen extending forwards from the blue terminal segments. The females are mostly black but with extensive colouring on the sides of the abdomen and thorax, which is usually green but sometimes blue or yellow.

Where to look: Across central, southern and eastern England.

When to look: First emerging in June, their peak flight period is July and August but they can be seen into September too.

The abdomen in this species appears mostly black, but for a blue segment near the end, with the last two segments black again. The thorax is bright blue in the males but can be purple or pink in the females, some of which have a brown instead of blue segment in the abdomen. The wing-spot is black and white in males.

Where to look: Common in wetlands throughout the UK.

When to look: Can emerge from late April, but the peak flight period is June and July and they can be seen into September.

Dragonflies

Emperor

Anax imperator

One of the UK’s largest dragonflies, the emperor shows a green thorax and black central line down the abdomen, which is vivid blue in males and blue-green in females.

Where to look: Common in England and Wales. They can be found around a variety of wetlands but usually still water such as ponds and lakes.

When to look: First emerging in late May, the key flight periods are June, July and August but individuals can be seen into October.

A small hawker dragonfly with a hairy thorax, and the first of the year to emerge. The abdomen has blue spots in males and yellow spots in females.

Where to look: Emergent vegetation around ponds, lakes and ditches. They’re not widespread in the UK, but are found at a variety of lowland sites.

When to look: First emerging in April, their key flight period is May and June but they can sometimes be seen into July.

Can be distinguished from other hawkers by large pale patches at the top of the thorax as well as bands towards the end of the abdomen (all other hawkers show spots). Males have a black abdomen with mostly green markings and blue towards the end of the abdomen, whilst females have a dark brown abdomen with green, yellow or pale blue markings.

Where to look: Common across the UK but absent from large parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Often seen hunting in woodland clearings

When to look: They emerge from late May with key flight period being July, August and September, but can be seen well into October.

This is the darkest of the hawkers, with small paired spots along the abdomen and a yellow vein at the front of each wing. The male’s abdomen is almost black in colour with blue spots, whereas the female has a brown abdomen with yellow or green spots.

Where to look: They’re only common across upland moorland and sometimes heathland with acidic water, hence their absence from the east of England.

When to look: Emerging from late June, their key flight period is July, August and into September, but they can be seen up to late October.

Similar in looks to the common hawker but with a shorter abdomen and lighter build, the migrant hawker is dark brown in colour with yellow stripes on the thorax. They fly with a notably upwardly pointing abdomen (see our annotated anatomy image at the top of this page), which shows pairs of spots. In the male these are blue but in the female, yellow. A key identifying feature is a yellow ‘golf-tee’ shape at the base of the abdomen.

Where to look: Found in a wide variety of wetland habitats, often hanging from vegetation. Common throughout England and Wales with many migrating from the continent every summer.

When to look: They’ll start to emerge from July but the key flight time is August, September, October and can be seen into November.

Mostly brown in colour, with wings washed a golden colour. Their thorax shows two bold yellow stripes and they have small blue spots along the abdomen sides, with some females showing yellower spots.

Where to look: Common throughout much of England and Wales (but less so in the far west) and in Northern Ireland too. Can often be seen hunting along woodland clearings and meadows, near to a variety of wetland areas.

When to look: First emerging in June, their key flight period is July and August but some will be seen into October.

A large and brightly coloured dragonfly, with green eyes and black and yellow bands across the entire thorax and abdomen. Sexes alike.

Where to look: Always around running water particularly streams of woodland and heathland, where they can be seen hanging from vegetation. They’re common throughout much of Scotland, Wales and northern England, also south and west England.

When to look: Emerging from May, the key flight period is June but they can be seen into early August.

There’s a lot in a name; this dragonfly is a metallic green-bronze, with a downy thorax and bright green eyes (brown when immature). Sexes similar.

Where to look: Usually found around still waters with trees nearby, they’re patchily distributed throughout the UK, with key strongholds in central and southern England.

When to look: They can begin to emerge from late April, with key flight times being June and July.

Males have an orange-red abdomen, whilst females are yellowish. Both have a brown thorax with yellow patches on the side.

Where to look: Common throughout the UK across various wetland habitats.

When to look: Emerging from May, their key flight period is July, August and September, with some individuals still on the wing in November.

In the male the abdomen is blood-red and is slightly shorter and stockier than the common darter, whilst the thorax is red-brown. The female has a yellowish abdomen with the top of the thorax showing a dark ‘T’ marking. Both sexes have distinctive all-black legs.

Where to look: Common throughout much of England, south Wales and east Northern Ireland, they’re found in a variety of wetland habitats, normally not too far away from water.

When to look: They’ll start to emerge in June but the main flight period is July and August, but there’s a chance of seeing them well into October.

These small darters can instantly be separated from the others as the males are black when mature, with yellow marks on the side of the abdomen and thorax. The females show a lot more yellow all over and a dark triangle on top of the thorax.

Where to look: Common throughout the UK but with a patchy distribution throughout southern England, look for them at the margins of lakes and pools in upland moorland, sometimes in lowland heathland.

When to look: They’ll start to emerge in June but the main flight period is July and August, but there’s a chance of seeing them well into October.

A key way to separate these from the other darters is that the lower half of their eyes are blue. In the male, the thorax is a deep red with a pale stripe across the side, and with red in the veins of the wings. The female is yellowish, with yellow wing veins.

Where to look: A relatively frequent migrant that turns up across much of England and Wales, most likely found near still water.

When to look: They’ll start to emerge in late May but key flight months are July and August, but there’s a chance of seeing them well into October.

Key things to note in this species are the clear wing bases and tapered abdomen. The male’s is blue with a black tip, whilst the female is yellow with black stripes, suggesting a ladder pattern. The eyes are dull green. Typically perches on bare ground.

Where to look: Common throughout England and Wales, they can be seen in a variety of wetland habitats, such as ponds, lakes and canals.

When to look: They’ll start to emerge in May but key flight months are June and July, but there’s a chance of seeing them well into October.

This skimmer also has a clear wing base, like the black-tailed but male keeled skimmer has a more slender abdomen that is entirely blue, whilst the female sports a black central stripe down a yellow-brown abdomen.

Where to look: Local and patchy in distribution but present across the UK; strongholds in south Wales and southwest England. Mostly found around heathland streams and pools.

When to look: They’ll start to emerge in May but key flight months are June, July and August, but there’s a chance of seeing them well into September.

These dragonflies sport a clear dark mark at the base of each wing and a very wide abdomen which is blue in the male and yellow-brown in the female.

Where to look: Found in a range of wetlands and common throughout England and Wales, especially new ponds.

When to look: They can be found on the wing from April, with key flight months being May, June and July, although they can be seen into September.

Key to identification of this species are the two black spots halfway along each wing. They are mostly brown in colour, with a black tip and yellow sides to the abdomen. Sexes alike.

Where to look: Can be found around a variety of still-water wetlands and are common throughout the UK.

When to look: They’ll start to emerge in May but key flight months are June, July and August, with a chance of seeing them well into September.

Males are like a short black-tailed skimmer, but typically perch on vegetation (unlike that species). The wing bases have a dark patch but this is hard to see. The abdomen of the female is orange/brown with central black bell-shaped markings. Females and some males have black wing-tips. Eyes obviously blue.

Where to look: Can be found in slow-flowing rivers and drains and ponds and lakes with emergent vegetation. It is restricted to southern, central and eastern England.

When to look: They have a short flight period, the key time being June but can be seen for around 1 month either side of that.

My dragonfly doesn’t look like any of the above

Dragonflies and damselflies first emerge from their underwater larval (juvenile) form, during the night and early morning (to avoid predation from birds) so if you time it well, you might see them still warming themselves on a stem. However, it’s unlikely that you will recognise them as at this time they have softer bodies and lighter colouring than their adult form. They’re known as ‘tenerals’ at this stage and have shiny wings and drab colouration; it can take a full week to gain colour. They’ll be keeping away from water where they could be damaged by aggressive mature adults, and so will seek shelter in vegetation.

Dragonflies could also be a different colour on account of their old age, when they are over-mature they can become dark and lose some of their typical colouration.

There are also at least 12 species that breed in the UK that we haven’t included here, that have very specific and tiny ranges. You might even have found a rarity, an immigrant from the Mediterranean or even America, such as vagrant emperor.