Golden-ringed dragonfly  (Cordulegaster boltonii)

The golden-ringed dragonfly is one of Britain’s largest dragonflies, and is the only member of the genus Cordulegaster in the country (3). Both the thorax and abdomen are black with bright yellow bands (3), the legs are black with yellow bases (2) and the abdomen is swollen towards the tip (3). The large green eyes meet in a point at the top of the head. Females can be identified by the presence of a long pointed ovipositor at the tip of the abdomen (3). As with other dragonflies, the large wings are held outstretched when at rest, not folded back over the body as in damselflies (4). The large aquatic larva is hairy, and spends most of its life partially buried in the sediment with just the eyes and tip of the abdomen visible. The short head has prominent eyes, and in common with other dragonfly larvae it is armed with fearsome mouthparts (2).