Lesser Emperor Dragonfly  Anax parthenope

This rare vagrant is smaller than Emperor and more likely to be confused with Migrant or Southern Hawker. It is immediately told from hawkers by the lack of black markings on the thorax. The most striking feature is a pale blue band around abdominal segments 1 & 2, contrasting with the rest of the largely plain brownish abdomen. Females are similar to males but usually duller, lacking males pinched waist and having brownish, rather than green eyes.

 Status of Lesser Emperor Dragonfly in Leicestershire & Rutland

Number of occupied 2km grid squares in Leicestershire & Rutland, up to the end of 2004: 1/720 First recorded in the UK in 1996, this immigrant dragonfly from southern Europe has since been recorded almost annually in Britain and has been recorded breeding at a number of localities. Its first appearance in Leicestershire & Rutland in 2003 was therefore not unexpected, when a male was present at Priory Water between 15th and 26th July. Much more surprising was the appearance of another male, at the same site,		Distribution Map Lesser Emperor 2004
between 1st and 7th August 2004. Breeding was not suspected and it would seem that the two records for the same site were simply an amazing coincidence; they remain the only recorded occurrences to date.

 Lesser Emperor Dragonfly Habitat

This long distance migrant could be encountered anywhere, although their preferred habitat is well-vegetated lakes and ponds.

 Flight period of Lesser Emperor Dragonfly

 Lesser Emperor Dragonfly Photo Gallery