SMALL PINCERTAIL
The small pincertail is also known as the green-eyed hook-tail and is a medium-sized dragonfly growing in length to 60mm with a wingspan up to 75mm. They have yellow and black markings and widely separated eyes varying from grey to green. The male abdomen is fitted with 3 large hooks which are called anal appendages. The males also have an angled base on the hind wing, whereas the females are rounded.
These dragonflies usually inhabit clean, fast flowing rivers with gravel or sandy banks and occasionally large lakes. The female lays about 500 eggs into the water. The larvae, when hatched, dig and live buried in the bottom silt. From egg to imago (winged adult), takes 3 to 5 years and then you can expect to see the adults flying from April through to September.
