Head to head
Golden-ringed Dragonfly vs Emperor Dragonfly
Golden-ringed Dragonfly
VS Emperor Dragonfly
The golden-ringed dragonfly and emperor dragonfly are two of the biggest dragonflies in Europe, but one lives on fast upland streams and the other on still ponds and lakes.
| Golden-ringed Dragonfly | Emperor Dragonfly | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Cordulegaster boltonii | Anax imperator |
| Size | Among the longest dragonflies in Europe, with a body of around 7 cm | Ranks among the biggest dragonflies found in Europe, with a substantial wingspan |
| Hunting | Catches flying insects such as flies and bees, and adults often wander along woodland rides | Hunts almost entirely in the air, snatching smaller insects, including smaller dragonflies, out of flight |
| Behaviour | Patrols a long beat over a stream, and the female jabs her ovipositor into the stream sediment to lay eggs | Males defend a patch of water, patrolling back and forth over their claimed territory |
| Habitat | Fast-flowing streams on heathland and moorland | Ponds, lakes, and slow-moving water |
| Larva | Lives buried in the silt of a stream bed for several years before emerging as an adult | Spends an extended period as an aquatic larva, much longer than its adult lifespan |
| Range | Western and central Europe | Europe and parts of nearby regions |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, though it needs clean, fast-flowing streams | Least Concern |
Golden-ringed Dragonfly vs Emperor Dragonfly: common questions
Which dragonfly lives on fast streams?
The golden-ringed dragonfly, which lives along fast-flowing streams on heathland and moorland.
How does the golden-ringed dragonfly lay eggs?
The female hovers upright over shallow water and jabs her long ovipositor down into the stream sediment to place her eggs.
Which one eats other dragonflies?
The emperor dragonfly, which catches other flying insects, including smaller dragonflies, directly out of the air.