Shropshire Birder
Dragonflies and Damselflies of Shropshire
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Golden-ringed Dragonfly
A large unmistakable Dragonfly, on the wing during the Summer from June until the end of August. It requires quite specialised conditions, namely acidic running water so heathland streams are a typical habitat. The black abdomen has alternate broad and narrow yellow rings on both sexes. Males are recognisable from the 'waisted' appearance and swollen tip to the abdomen; females by the long pointed ovipositor which extends out beyond the tip of the abdomen. Cramer Gutter on Catherton Common is a typical and usually productive site where adults may be seen cruising up and down the narrow stream or resting on bracken or adjacent trees.
A male hanging on vegetation ....
Another male, the waisted appearance and swollen tip to the abdomen quite obvious....
Additional male images taken at Catherton Common in July 2015....
This one in close up - they can be confiding given careful approach :-) ....
A female in flight, has more parallel sided abdomen and the long ovipositor is just about visble ....
Another female seen here in these three images ovipositing - 'pogo stick' fashion.....
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