Dragonflies: A Complete Guide

Dragonfly Species in the United Kingdom

Dragonflies are among the most striking insects in Britain. Fast, agile and brightly coloured, they are powerful aerial hunters that have existed for over 300 million years.

The UK supports a rich variety of species, many of which can be seen around ponds, rivers, lakes, canals and wetlands during spring and summer.

Dragonflies belong to the order Odonata.

In everyday language, “dragonfly” is often used broadly, but technically Britain has two main groups within Odonata: true dragonflies (Anisoptera) and damselflies (Zygoptera). This article focuses on the true dragonflies.

How Many Dragonfly Species Are in the UK?

There are over 30+ resident and regularly breeding species of true dragonfly in the UK, with additional rare migrants recorded in warmer years. Numbers can change slightly as new colonising species arrive due to climate change.

Major Dragonfly Families in Britain

Hawkers (Family: Aeshnidae)

Large, powerful fliers often seen patrolling ponds and woodland rides.

Emperor dragonfly – One of the largest UK dragonflies, bright blue and green, commonly seen over garden ponds in southern Britain.

Southern hawker – Recognisable by its bright green markings and habit of investigating people closely.

Migrant hawker – A late-summer species that has expanded its range northwards.

Chasers and Skimmers (Family: Libellulidae)

Often perch conspicuously on reeds or stones.

Four-spotted chaser – Named for the dark spots on each wing.

Broad-bodied chaser – Males are powder-blue with a flattened abdomen.

Black-tailed skimmer – Frequently seen resting on bare ground near water.

Darters (Genus: Sympetrum)

Smaller dragonflies, often red in colour.

Common darter – Widespread and often the last dragonfly seen in autumn.

Ruddy darter – Males are deep red with black legs.

Yellow-winged darter – A scarce migrant with amber-tinted wings.

Goldenrings (Family: Cordulegastridae)

Golden-ringed dragonfly – Britain’s longest dragonfly, with bold black and yellow stripes, usually found along clean, fast-flowing streams.

Emeralds (Family: Corduliidae)

Metallic-bodied species favouring lakes and bogs.

Downy emerald – A scarce species of well-vegetated lakes.

Brilliant emerald – Found mainly in southern England.

Below is a comprehensive list of the dragonfly species regularly found in the United Kingdom (resident breeders and regular migrants), with a brief description of each one.

This focuses on true dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera) though, not damselflies.

UK Dragonfly Species

• Emperor dragonfly

A large dragonfly with striking blue and green colours. Common near still water during summer.

• Lesser emperor

Smaller relative of the emperor, rare in the UK but recorded regularly as a migrant.

• Vagrant emperor

A long‑distance migrant from southern Europe/Africa, occasionally recorded in Britain.

• Southern migrant hawker

A hawker dragonfly seen increasingly in southern Britain in warm years.

• Azure hawker

A northern species of upland lakes and moors; smaller and more compact hawker.

• Southern hawker

A green‑marked hawker often seen around garden ponds and slow rivers.

• Brown hawker

A large brown hawker with amber wings; common in southern and central England.

• Norfolk hawker

Green‑eyed hawker once restricted to fens in East Anglia; rare and specialised.

• Common hawker

A widespread northern hawker found near moorland pools and boggy water.

• Migrant hawker

A smaller hawker with yellow and brown markings common in late summer.

• Hairy dragonfly

One of the earliest fliers of the season; brownish with fine hairs.

• Common clubtail

A club‑tailed dragonfly of slow rivers and lakesides; skulking and underrecorded.

• Golden-ringed dragonfly

The UK’s longest dragonfly with black and yellow stripes, often seen over streams.

• Downy emerald

A metallic green species that patrols tree‑lined still waters.

• Northern emerald

A scarce emerald dragonfly of northern peatlands and high lakes.

• Brilliant emerald

A shiny green dragonfly, mainly in southern England.

• Broad-bodied chaser

A chunky, short‑winged dragonfly often seen basking on short vegetation.

• Scarce chaser

Similar to the broad‑bodied chaser but with more orange tones; locally distributed.

• Four-spotted chaser

Named for the four spots on its wings; one of the most common British dragonflies.

• Black-tailed skimmer

A robust skimmer with a black patch at the end of the abdomen.

• Keeled skimmer

A paler skimmer with a characteristic body shape, frequent on heathland ponds.

• Black darter

Britain’s smallest resident dragonfly, mostly in northern moorland bogs.

• Red‑veined darter

A southern European visitor increasingly seen in warm years.

• Ruddy darter

A red species of warm ponds and lakeshores, more common in southern England.

• Common darter

A widespread and adaptable species seen from summer into autumn.

Note on Numbers

There are about 36 species of dragonflies recorded in the UK, including rare migrants and vagrants that do not always breed here. This list includes the regularly occurring and breeding species, which typically number around 25–30 true dragonflies.

Common species like the Emperor, Four‑spotted Chaser, and Common Darter are likely to be seen in; gardens, parks, and wetlands.

Scarcer species like the Northern Emerald or Norfolk Hawker require specific habitat and are often subjects of conservation interest.

Migrants such as the Red‑veined Darter arrive in warmer years and may temporarily join the breeding community.

Life Cycle

Dragonflies begin life underwater as larvae (nymphs).

After hatching from eggs laid in or near water, the larvae live below the surface for one to several years, depending on species.

This is the longest part of their life - as larvae.

During this time, it molts (sheds its skin) many times as it grows. And, believe it or not, it breathes through internal gills in its rectum.

They are fierce aquatic predators, feeding on insect larvae, tadpoles and even small fish.

When ready to transform, the larva climbs out of the water and undergoes metamorphosis.

• The nymph crawls out of the water onto a plant stem

• Its outer skin splits open

• The adult dragonfly slowly pulls itself out

• Its wings expand and harden

After a few hours, it can fly. The empty shell left behind is called an exuvia.

This stage is very vulnerable — many dragonflies are eaten before their wings harden.

As the adult emerges, it expands its wings, and takes flight for the first time. Adult dragonflies typically live for a few weeks to a few months.

Habitat and Distribution

Dragonflies depend on freshwater habitats. Key environments in the UK include:

Garden ponds

Lowland lakes

Peat bogs

Heathland pools

Slow-moving rivers

Reservoirs and canals

Southern England generally has the highest diversity, but Scotland supports important populations of species adapted to cooler conditions. Climate warming has enabled several continental species to colonise southern Britain in recent decades too.

Conservation and Threats

Dragonflies are sensitive indicators of freshwater health. Pollution, drainage of wetlands, agricultural runoff and habitat loss have historically reduced some populations. However, improvements in water quality since the late 20th century have allowed several species to recover.

Conservation efforts generally focus on:

• Protecting wetlands

• Restoring ponds and peatlands

• Managing river systems naturally

• Monitoring range changes

Some species, particularly those restricted to specialised habitats like bogs, remain vulnerable.

Why Dragonflies Matter

Dragonflies play an important ecological role as predators of flying insects, including mosquitoes.

Their aquatic larvae help regulate freshwater ecosystems.

Because they respond quickly to environmental change, scientists also use them as bioindicators to assess habitat quality.

With their iridescent colours, aerobatic flight and ancient lineage, dragonflies are among the most captivating components of Britain’s insect fauna.

Their continued presence depends on the protection and restoration of healthy freshwater landscapes.

Below is a paperback field guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies (hardcover available).

*The link above will take you to Amazon.

Wildlife of Britain is a participant in the Amazon Associates program. We may earn a small referral fee on any qualifying sales. This goes towards maintaining the website.

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