broad-bodied chaser libellula depressa

ovipositing
broad-bodied chaser
abdomen dipped into water to deposit eggs ... male(s) sometimes nearby but female often waits until they're absent to avoid being harassed
broad-bodied chaser
broad-bodied chaser broad-bodied chaser
broad-bodied chaser
egg-laying (so must be female) but resembles a male; when some females age they may develop an abdomen that is partly coated in a blue powder (pruinescence), similar to a male (perhaps to discourage the attention of other males who may be seeking to mate?)
broad-bodied chaser


portraits
broad-bodied chaser
The male has a broad body, powder blue with pale yellow half-moons along the edges. The thoracic stripes are pale blue. Both sexes have a dark brown patch at the base of each wing. Often the first dragonfly species to visit a new pond.
broad-bodied chaser
The female has light thoracic stripes and a broad yellow and brown abdomen.
broad-bodied chaser
An aged female that has developed male pruinescence..
broad-bodied chaser
adult female
broad-bodied chaser
slightly immature male
broad-bodied chaser
adult male


in flight
broad-bodied chaser
females ...
broad-bodied chaser
broad-bodied chaser broad-bodied chaser
male and female
broad-bodied chaser
males ...
broad-bodied chaser
very gymnastic; rare to get a full underside view, albeit a bit dark
broad-bodied chaser broad-bodied chaser


an ageing sequence
broad-bodied chaser
picture 1 of 4: teneral female (claspers), has probably just taken its maiden flight
broad-bodied chaser
picture 2 of 4: immature female: light eyes, abdomen bright ochre
broad-bodied chaser
picture 3 of 4: adult female
broad-bodied chaser
picture 4 of 4: ageing female showing some pruinescence, although not as much as an adult male. The wing-tips show a yellow infusion. This specimen was seen ovipositing.