Wildlife of Britain

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...