Action for Insects: The wonder of dragonflies

Feisty and ferocious, dragonflies easily top their mythical counterparts when it comes to predatory prowess.

Dragonflies aren’t your average insect. They pre-date humans by around 240 million years, are armed with near-360-degree vision and can fly in any direction – even backwards. This makes them truly formidable hunters. In fact, the order they belong to – Odanata – means ‘toothed ones’, which is little surprise if you’ve ever had the privilege to watch them hunt.

Dragonflies leave carnage in their wake: catching prey in mid-air and using serrated mandibles to rip it apart; tearing off wings and limbs so their quarry can’t escape. It’s a drama that plays out regularly right across our region during the spring, summer and even autumn months, with some dragonfly species clinging on until late November.

An orange common darter dragonfly resting on the head of a pink grass stalk — Common darter dragonfly by Janet Packham - Janet Packham Photography

The first dragons announce their presence with whirring wings and acrobatics that rival even the most sophisticated stealth fighter jets. Pick a warm, still, sunny day to try and spot them around bodies of water - particularly ponds and pools - in Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside.

Star species

The majority of the UK's 23 resident species of dragonfly can be found right here in our region, so why not brush up on your dragonfly ID skills and see how many you can spot? Here are some quick-fire ID tips for some of our star species.

Broad-bodied chaser

When to see: April – September

ID tips: Very broad, flat abdomen. Males are blue whereas females are golden-brown.

Four-spotted chaser

When to see: April – October

ID tips: Golden-brown with a black-tipped, tapering abdomen. Two dark spots on each wing.

Black-tailed skimmer

When to see: April – October

ID tips: Males are blue with a dark-tipped, tapering abdomen. Females are yellow with two dark stripes.

Emperor

When to see: May – October

ID tips: Males have a sky-blue abdomen whereas females have a green abdomen. Both have a dark central line.

Common darter

When to see: May – November

ID tips: Bright orange-red with black wing spots. Females are yellowish brown.

Brown hawker

When to see: July – October

ID tips: Golden brown wings. Males have small blue and yellow markings while females have yellow markings.

How we're taking action for dragonflies

No amount of ancient DNA could prepare dragonflies for the modern world. These ferocious little predators are incredibly vulnerable to changes in their environment and are feeling the effects of the human population. The country-wide fall in their numbers indicates that their wetland homes aren’t as healthy as they once were; pollution, climate change, habitat loss and human development taking their toll.

Brockholes Nature Reserve is an important stronghold for dragonflies in our region. As well as creating brand new ponds for them to breed in, free from hungry fish, our year-round conservation work at the reserve involves keeping on top of the wetland vegetation. Dragonflies need shade-free areas of water bathed in sunlight, with plenty of perches where they can charge up in the sunshine.

Our conservation team has been hard at work at Lunt Meadows, too. With a helping hand from John Sisk & Son we've been able to create vital new dragonfly habitats in the form of five brand new ponds, plus two enlarged, existing ponds. We can't wait to see if the enhanced habitat adds some new dragonfly species to Lunt Meadows' current count of 13 dragon and damselflies.

A new pond created by John Sisk & Son at Lunt Meadows will be wonderful for dragonflies — A new pond in progress at Lunt Meadows with help from John Sisk & Son

Many of our 42 magical nature reserves are dragonfly hot-spots, with some even noted as being nationally important for these incredible insects. From Middleton Nature Reserve and Heysham Nature Reserve in Lancashire, to Highfield Moss in Manchester and Seaforth in Merseyside, we're dedicated to ensuring these wildlife refuges continue to provide a haven for dragonflies.

As food for other animals, controllers of mosquitos and midges, and indicators of healthy waterways; we need our dragons. Wouldn’t it be a tragedy to lose these incredible aerial acrobats from our skies?

From creating a pond in your garden to watching what you wash down the drain, there are ways to help dragonflies by taking Action for Insects in your own home. Download our free guide for lots of tips and advice.

Take Action for Insects today

Charlotte Varela