Nature notes: dragonflies

Dragonflies are now coasting around, looking for other insects to feed on. They catch these in their spiny legs, which form a kind of basket, and then lift them to their jaws. They can sometimes even be seen pursuing a white butterfly. The species that is most frequently noticed is the brown hawker, a large dragonfly with distinctive amber wings. It roams farther from water than most other dragonflies, and can often be seen in the evening, hawking for flies round a street lamp. Also common, and even larger, is the southern hawker, which has the more usual translucent wings. It is one of the most gorgeous dragonflies, with bright green spots along its body and some blue ones towards the end. Emperor dragonflies are blue and black. They patrol majestically up and down rivers. Two smaller, red species are the common, and the ruddy darter. They are often found sitting on a sunny path, and flit ahead of you. They look very similar, but the ruddy darter is a deeper red, and has a pinched waist.