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Both males and females have hairy thoraxes although this is
not easy to see at any distance. The males are marked with
apple green and bright blue while the females are brown and
yellow. This rather scarce species was first recorded at Kew
in 2002 where it’s arrival was not unexpected since it
is expanding it’s range at the moment. Look out for it
around the Lake in late May or June.
The broad yellow/green stripes on the thorax of this dragonfly
are characteristic. It likes garden ponds where it will breed
but surprisingly it is recorded only as a scarce, probably
annual visitor at Kew. It is occasionally seen between early
July and late August hunting over land in various sunny parts
of the Gardens.
This conspicuous hunter with orangey-brown wings is present
every year in variable numbers between mid-July and late September.
Often just a single one is seen but there can be five or more
individuals on one day. It favours the Lake and Syon Vista
but visits many other open sunny spots.
This species has wings with a golden front edge and blue,
green and yellow spots on the abdomen. Present in low numbers
at Kew during August in most years.
The commonest and smallest hawker in the Gardens. It is similar
to the last species but has an inverted yellow triangle at
the base of the abdomen and the wings have a dark front edge.
It flies from late July till as late as early November, the
great majority being seen in August and September. As many
as nine can be found on a good day, hunting at the Lake, along
Syon Vista and in many other sunny rides and corners.
A large and beautiful species, the prominent black line down
the blue (male) or green (female) abdomen of this big dragonfly
is sufficient for identification. They are occasionally seen
at the Waterlily Pond and the Aquatic Garden between late
July and mid-August.
The males have a narrow powder-blue abdomen and the females
and juveniles are yellow. Females turn dull grey with age
but sometimes become blue like the male. The larvae live in
mud, unlike those of the dragonflies listed above which live
in water weed.
Easily recognised by its broad plump abdomen which is powder-blue
in the adult male and pale brown in females and juveniles.
The larvae live in mud. The adults can be seen from late May
until mid-July at the Waterlily Pond, Aquatic Garden and the
small pond in the Dukes Garden.
The smallest dragonfly at Kew; the slender abdomen is dull
red in adult males and pale brown in females and juveniles.
This is the last dragonfly of the year at Kew emerging in
late summer and often lingering into October. It can be found
anywhere in the Gardens even some way from water. Adults bask
on the warmest surfaces which they can find such as paths,
fences, hosepipes and even an outstretched hand.
Page 2 of 3. Next: Damselflies
seen at Kew >>>
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