Species · GBIF taxon 5051775
Blue Emperor
Anax imperatorAlso known as Emperor Dragonfly, Common Emperor
Blue emperors are magnificent, fast-flying aerial predators that dominate the skies over ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. Males are highly territorial, patrolling large beats with a characteristic hovering flight and aggressively chasing away rivals or even small birds. Females are mostly green, blending into the bankside vegetation where they insert eggs directly into aquatic plants.
DiurnalPredatoryAquatic-Nursery
1 / 7- diet
- Carnivorous (flying insects like flies, mosquitoes, butterflies, and smaller dragonflies)
- family
- Aeshnidae
- threats
- Habitat loss, water pollution, and climate-induced drought
- life Span
- 1 to 2 years (mostly spent as aquatic nymphs, with adults living 1 to 2 months)
LC
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- Watch the patrol: Find a sunny pond margin and watch the male fly a regular, repeating loop to defend his territory.
- Look for emerging nymphs: Check upright reeds early on summer mornings to spot empty larval cases left behind.
- Observe perched individuals: Look for them hanging vertically from twigs or reeds during cool or windy weather.