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Length
32mm, Wings 47mm
Males
Narrow waist on black abdomen with golden spots segment 1 and 2, 8 and 9; thorax 2 yellow bars on side, 1 of black panels has 3 yellow spots; legs black.
Females
Yellow with black triangle top of thorax; legs black.
Behaviour
Males are not very territorial, with large numbers being present at some sites. Males hover over emergent vegetation, seeking females to mate with. They will frequently settle, especially on open ground and stones. In hot weather they will rest in the obelisk position, with abdomen pointing upwards, to reduce the surface area presented to the sun. Copulation lasts for several minutes, with oviposition taking place in tandem or alone. Oviposition takes place either directly into water, or into mud and mats of vegetation. Larvae emerge after one year and can survive the temporary drying out of their habitat.
Habitat
Mainly heaths containing boggy pools, peaty ponds and lakes with abundant emergent rushes and sedges. Sheltered sites produce the highest numbers. Sometimes disperses into atypical locations.
Flight Period
Distribution Map
Locations
- Moorgates Quarry LNR
- Thorne Moors – Humberhead Peatlands NNR
- Oakhill & Goole Brick Ponds
- Paull Holme Strays
- The Yorkshire Arboretum
- Hurst Dam
- Timble Ings
- Potteric Carr
- Dundale Pond
- The Tarn, Goathland
- Tranmire Bog
- Fen Bog
- Spurn Point
- Skipwith Common
- North Cave Wetlands
- Filey Dams
- Broomfleet Washlands
- Allerthorpe Common
- Tophill Low Nature Reserve