Golden-ringed dragonfly  (Cordulegaster boltonii)

Abdomen: in arthropods (crustaceans, insects and arachnids) the abdomen is the hind region of the body, which is usually segmented to a degree (but not visibly in most spiders). In crustacea (e.g. crabs) some of the limbs attach to the abdomen; in insects the limbs are attached to the thorax (the part of the body nearest to the head) and not the abdomen. In vertebrates the abdomen is the part of the body that contains the internal organs (except the heart and lungs).
Genus: a category used in taxonomy, which is below ‘family’ and above ‘species’. A genus tends to contain species that have characteristics in common. The genus forms the first part of a ‘binomial’ Latin species name; the second part is the specific name.
Larval: of the stage in an animal’s lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
Larva; larvae: stage in an animal’s lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
Metamorphosis: an abrupt physical change from the larval to the adult form.
Ovipositor: egg-laying organ in female insects consisting of outgrowths of the abdomen (the hind region of the body in insects). The stinging organ and poison sac of worker bees and non-reproductive female wasps is a modified ovipositor.
Thorax: part of the body located near the head in animals. In insects, the three segments between the head and the abdomen, each of which has a pair of legs.

1. National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (September 2003):
   http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn
   
2. McGeeney, A. (1986) A complete guide to British dragonflies. Jonathan Cape Ltd, London.
   
3. Brooks, S. (1997) Field guide to the dragonflies and damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland. British Wildlife Publishing, Hook.
   
4. Silverside, A.J. (2003). Biodiversity reference- University of Paisley. Golden-ringed dragonfly (December 2003):
   http://www-biol.paisley.ac.uk/bioref/Animalia_inverts/Cordulegaster_boltonii.html
   
5. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology- Atlas of the dragonflies of Britain and Ireland (December 2003):
   www.brc.ac.uk/brc_spp_acc/dragon/NBNSYS0000005621.htm