These identification notes are applicable to mature 'normal' form adults t They are intended to highlight characteristics which are, for the most part, readily visible in the field with patience and binoculars.
A good field guide, the 'Hammond' is particularly recommended, is essential for anybody wishing to take the study of Odonata any further. The order in which the species are presented is not classification order. Scientific names and English names follow those used in the "Atlas of the dragonflies of Britain and Ireland", by Merritt et al (1996).
Anisoptera, the Dragonflies, are large, powerful insects, with their wings held out at right angles to the body at rest. Two families are represented.
Aeshnidae, The Hawkers
These are the archetypal dragonflies, big, long-bodied, powerful fliers. They are usually difficult to approach and care should taken with identification, especially if they are in flight. Once settled, a pair of binoculars is a great help in sorting out the species, as well as clues from habitat and flight period.
Libellulidae, The Chasers.
Initially look very similar to each other, but careful observation, possible in the field with binoculars, allows them to be readily identified. They have a stout appearance, body length appearing much shorter in relation to wingspan than exhibited by the hawkers. Flight is usually low to the water, fast and direct, rarely performing the aerial acrobatics of the hawkers. Careful field observation will reveal a favoured perch, usually a dead stick or sun-trap on the ground, that they will habitually return to at frequent intervals, allowing the observer good views.
The Darters are also members of the Libellulidae and are the smallest of the dragonflies, physically resembling mini hawkers in shape and behaviour, although they are more closely related to the chasers. They perch in a distinctive manner with the wings swept forwards and downwards. Mature males that occur in the county are readily identifiable, but care needs to be exercised with females, immatures and old specimens.
Zygoptera, the Damselflies
are typified by their small size compared to dragonflies; very thin bodies, and wings folded across the back at rest, certainly never at right-angles as in the dragonflies. Three families are represented.
Calopterygidae – Demoiselles
Lestidae - Emeralds
Green bodies, clear wings and an unusual habit of settling with its wings half open immediately identify this group.
Coenagrionidae – Typical Damselflies
Classification Checklist
The full list of UK species is also presented hereZygoptera - Damselflies
Family Calopteryigidae - DemoisellesCalopteryx virgo - Beautiful Demoiselle
Calopteryx splendens - Banded Demoiselle
Family Lestidae - Emerald damselfliesLestes sponsa - Emerald Damselfly
Lestes dryas - Scarce Emerald Damselfly [MFF]
Lestes barbarus - Southern Emerald Damselfly
Chalcolestes viridis - Willow Emerald Damselfly
Family Platycnemididae - White-legged damselfliesPlatycnemis pennipes - White-legged Damselfly
Family Coenagrionidae - Red and Blue/black damselflies
Pyrrhosoma nymphula - Large Red Damselfly
Erythromma najas - Red-eyed Damselfly
Erythromma viridulum - Small Red-eyed Damselfly
Coenagrion mercuriale - Southern Damselfly
Coenagrion scitulum - Dainty Damselfly (extinct in UK)
Coenagrion hastulatum - Northern Damselfly
Coenagrion lunulatum - Irish Damselfly
Coenagrion armatum - Norfolk Damselfly (extinct in UK)
Coenagrion puella - Azure Damselfly
Coenagrion pulchellum - Variable Damselfly
Enallagma cyathigerum - Common Blue Damselfly
Ischnura pumilio - Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly [MFF]
Ischnura elegans - Blue-tailed Damselfly
Ceriagrion tenellum - Small Red Damselfly
Anisoptera - Dragonflies
Family Aeshnidae - Hawker DragonfliesAeshna caerulea - Azure Hawker
Aeshna juncea - Common Hawker
Aeshna mixta - Migrant Hawker
Aeshna cyanaea - Southern Hawker
Aeshna grandis - Brown Hawker
Aeshna affinis - Southern Migrant Hawker (migrant/vagrant)
Aeshna isosceles - Norfolk Hawker [MFF]
Anax imperator - Emperor Dragonfly
Anax parthenope - Lesser Emperor (migrant/vagrant)
Anax junius - Green Darner (migrant/vagrant)
Hemianax ephippiger - Vagrant Emperor (migrant/vagrant)
Brachytron pratense - Hairy Dragonfly
Family Gomphidae - Club-tailed Dragonflies
Gomphus vulgatissimus - Club-tailed Dragonfly
Family Cordulegastridae - Golden-ringed DragonfliesCordulegaster boltonii - Golden-ringed Dragonfly
Family Corduliidae - Emerald DragonfliesCordulia aenea - Downy Emerald [MFF]
Somatochlora metallica - Brilliant Emerald [MFF]
Somatochlora arctica - Northern Emerald
Oxygastra curtisii - Orange-spotted Emerald (extinct in UK)
Family Libellulidae - Chasers, Skimmers and DartersLibellula quadrimaculata - Four-spotted Chaser
Libellula fulva - Scarce Chaser [MFF]
Libellula depressa - Broad-bodied Chaser
Orthetrum cancellatum - Black-tailed Skimmer
Orthetrum coerulescens - Keeled Skimmer
Sympetrum striolatum - Common Darter
Sympetrum nigrescens - Highland Darter
Sympetrum fonscolombii - Red-veined Darter (migrant/vagrant)
Sympetrum flaveolum - Yellow-winged Darter (migrant/vagrant)
Sympetrum sanguineum - Ruddy Darter
Sympetrum danae - Black Darter
Sympetrum vulgatum - Vagrant Darter (migrant/vagrant)
Sympetrum pedemontanum - Banded Darter (migrant/vagrant)
Crocothemis erythraea - Scarlet Dragonfly (migrant/vagrant)
Pantala flavescens - Globe Skimmer (migrant/vagrant)
Leucorrhinia dubia - White-faced Darter [MFF]