Dragonflies of South Africa : Blue Emperor

Blue Emperor Dragonflies

The Blue Emperor dragonfly often just called the Emperor dragonfly, is the largest species of hawker dragonfly. They come from the family Aeshnidae.

Identification

When emperor dragonflies emerge from being nymphs both the male and female appear pale green with brownish markings. Their wings are black although with age they become a yellow-brown.
As the male matures it's abdomen becomes a sky blue with black markings while its thorax and head turns a bright Apple green. His prominent eyes are blue or green.
The female has the same apple green thorax and blue/green eyes, but it's abdomen is green (although in warm weather it can become a light blue.) with brownish red markings.
These dragonflies are between 66mm and 84mm in full length.

Behaviour

Male Emperors are extremely territorial and hard to come close up to.
While flying they often catch small insects and eat them on as they are in flight, but there larger prey such as butterflies and other dragonflies they will perch themselves somewhere to eat.
Emperors are strong flyer's, flying for long periods without rest.
Females lay their eggs into pond plants, and they lay there eggs alone.