Chaser ID

RobinP · #1 (**permalink**) 06-07-2010, 02:40 PM

Think this is a broad-bodied chaser but not sure, seems a bit worn or maybe freshly emerged?

First one I've seen even though they are fairly common I believe.

Robin

JRsbugs · #2 (**permalink**) 06-07-2010, 02:47 PM

Yes that's a male. I had a female a couple of days ago, it laid eggs in my pond! The last time I ever saw one was 4 years ago, a male sitting on a Phormium leaf.

Janet

jerryh · #3 (**permalink**) 06-07-2010, 02:47 PM

Quite right, Robin

The wide abdomen and the large dark patches at the bases of the wings are the keys.

Jerry

RobinP · #4 (**permalink**) 06-07-2010, 09:23 PM

Thanks Janet and Jerry, I'm getting quite keen on the larger dragons, hawkers and chasers so any new sightings are quite exciting

Robin

Ukwildlifeo · #5 (**permalink**) 06-07-2010, 09:38 PM

I spotted a broad bodied with even more black on the abdomen last week. Not sure why some have it

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-07-2010, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

I spotted a broad bodied with even more black on the abdomen last week. Not sure why some have it

The basic colour of the abdomen is black but normally covered with a blue pruinescence, so when this gets worn away the black shows up.

RoyW · #7 (**permalink**) 10-07-2010, 09:23 PM

This is actually a very old (over mature) female B-b C, not a male (compare the shape of the appendages at the end of the abdomen with fresh males & females in the Gallery).
It's not unusual for old dragonflies to develop male like colours, I have seen a few female B-b C's like this recentely but haven't managed to get a decent photo.