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Libellula depressa (Broad-bodied Chaser / Geniş Vücutlu Yusufcuk, Basık Karınlı Yusufcuk)

Libellula depressa (Broad-bodied Chaser / Geniş Vücutlu Yusufcuk, Basık Karınlı Yusufcuk)


Libellula depressa (Broad-bodied Chaser / Geniş Vücutlu Yusufcuk, Basık Karınlı Yusufcuk) [Male/Erkek]from Nazilli, Aydın - 28.06.2009.

The approximate wing-span of the broad-bodied chaser is 70 millimeters. It occurs in Europe except for the northern parts and in Asia eastwards to south-west Siberia. It flights from late April to mid September, most abundant in May and June.

The female has a brown abdomen with two yellow stripes. The male has a pale blue abdomen. Because of the male's pale blue abdomen, they can be confused with the Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum). Both the male and female broad-bodied chasers have dark brown, triangular patches at the base of all four wings.

A large, pale blue male of this species, aggressively defending a garden pond or small natural pool, is a familiar sight in much of area. Their flight is very fast as they dart and dive above the water looking for food and fighting away rival males and any other dragonflies they happen to encounter. They characteristically return to a favoured perch, in the sun. They can be hard to get close views of but if seen near some woodland they may allow you to observe them.

References: 1. Chinery, M. (1986). Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe, Collins, Glasgow, 320 pp. 2. Dijkstra K.-D. (2006). Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe including Western Turkey and noth-Western Africa. British Wildlife Publishing, Dorset, UK. 320 pp. 3. Beaton, G. (2007). Dragonflies and Damselflies of Georgia and the Soustheast. University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia, 355 pp. 4. Wikipedia.