BLADETAIL
The bladetail is a large, stiking dragonfly, attaining 70 – 80mm in length. It is easily recognizable due to the leaf shaped flaps on the bottom sides of the abdomen tip. The flaps give the tip, a club-like appearance, which is why they are also known as club-tailed dragonflies. The basic colouration is a pale yellow with dark brown or black markings of variable size. The pterostigma (a group of cells on the outer front edge of the wing), is also similarly coloured. It is possible to see completely black individuals, which is a consequence of them developing in cold Springs.
These beautiful dragonflies, fly mostly from the end of May until August. They prefer large lakes and large, slow flowing rivers for breeding. Adults tend to wander far from where they were hatched and so are classed as nomadic. They are commonly found near lakes with large reed beds or floating aquatic plants for egg laying, but due to their nomadic lifestyle, can be seen almost anywhere.
