Invertebrates
Broad-bodied Chaser
Libellula depressa
On a bare muddy bank beside a brand-new garden pond, a powder-blue broad-bodied chaser perches in the sun, ready to chase off any rival that comes near.
Overview
The broad-bodied chaser, Libellula depressa, is a Least Concern dragonfly of ponds, ditches, and gravel pits across Europe, North Africa, and parts of western Asia. Its stocky body, powder-blue males, and rapid colonisation of new waters make it one of the best-known pioneer species among dragonflies.
A first arrival at new water
Because it can find and breed in freshly dug ponds within a year, the broad-bodied chaser is often the first large dragonfly to appear in a new garden pond.
Status
Least Concern, widespread and quick to colonise new sites.
Broad-bodied Chaser: common questions
Why is it called the broad-bodied chaser?
It is named for its wide, flattened abdomen and for the way it chases off rivals and intercepts passing insects.
How can you tell a male from a female?
The mature male's abdomen is covered in a pale blue powder, while the female is yellow-brown.
Is it quick to colonise new ponds?
Yes, it is one of the first dragonflies to colonise newly dug garden ponds, often appearing within a year.
Where is the broad-bodied chaser found?
It lives around ponds, ditches, and gravel pits across Europe, North Africa, and parts of western Asia.