Four-spotted Chaser

Key Sites: Brigstock Country Park, the Nene Valley gravel pits. Interestingly, the Four-spotted Chaser is less widely distributed than the Broad-bodied Chaser, possibly because it favours larger water bodies and these tend to be limited to the gravel pits in the Nene Valley and the reservoirs. However it is also found in small ponds such as those found at Fermyn Woods and Irchester Country Parks. Habitats need to be well vegetated, sunny and with expanses of open water.

Spotting: Characterised by a nodal spot on each of its four wings, the Four-spotted Chaser is often seen perched on reeds angled towards the sun over well vegetated ponds and lakes. Males and females appear very similar, with orangey-brown bodies. There are slight colour variations and size differences between the sexes that are only distinguishable when both are seen together, however the female is rarely seen over water except when ovipositing, by which it can be seen flying low over the water's surface dipping the end of its abdomen in the water to release the eggs.

Both sexes have the characteristic dark triangles at the base of the hind wings, in common with the Broad-bodied Chaser and Scare Chaser. A rare form of the male, called praenubila, has dark bands extending down from the front wings

County Status: Stable throughout the County, but appears to be rare (or under-recorded) west of Northampton.


Female Ditchford Lakes, June 2005

Libellula quadrimaculata