Fauna
Insect

Broad-bodied Chaser

Libellula depressa

Also known as Broad-bodied Darter

Broad-bodied chasers are aggressive aerial predators that readily colonize newly dug ponds and quiet wetland margins. Males defend sunny perches along the water edge, darting out in high-speed pursuit of passing insects before returning to the exact same stem. Their strikingly broad, flattened abdomens and prominent dark patches at the base of all four wings easily distinguish them from other European dragonflies.

InsectPredatorFreshwater
Broad-bodied Chaser reference1 / 7
(c) Thomas Bresson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFlies, Mosquitoes, Midges
Predators
  • Birds
  • Frogs
  • Spiders
ThreatsWetland loss, pesticide runoff, aquatic vegetation clearing
HabitatsPonds, garden pools, gravel pits, slow streams
Life span1–2 years (1–2 months as adult)
Classification
  1. OrderOdonata
  2. FamilyLibellulidae
  3. GenusLibellula
  4. SpeciesLibellula depressa
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Pond Watching: Scan sunlit perches like reeds or sticks near water margins where males routinely return after short territorial flights.
  • Approach Slowly: Move calmly without sudden gestures to get close-up photographs while they rest on vegetation.
  • Identify Sex: Look for powdery light-blue abdomens on mature males, contrasting with golden-brown females and juveniles.
Related species
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Found in Collections

Ecosystem chain

Wetland Territory

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