Four-spotted Chaser

Taxobox
name = Four-spotted Chaser

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image_width = 300px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Odonata
subordo = Anisoptera
familia = Libellulidae
genus = "Libellula"
species = "L. quadrimaculata"
binomial = "Libellula quadrimaculata"
binomial_authority = Linnaeus, 1758

The Four-spotted Chaser, known in North America as the Four-spotted Skimmer ("Libellula quadrimaculata") is a dragonfly of the family Libellulidae found throughout Europe, Asia, and North America.

A common species of Dragonfly. In the United Kingdom, the adult stage is found between April to early September. Mid May to mid August in Ireland. Larvae have a two year developmental cycle. Adults feeding predominantly on mosquitos, gnats and midges, the larvae feed primarily on other aquatic insect larvae and on tadpoles.

There is a variant form, "praenubila" Newman, which has exaggerated wing spots. This is believed to be related to water temperatures during larval development, and appears to be more common in Europe than in the Americas.

Habitat

This active Dragonfly mainly lives by ponds, vernal pools, and slow flowing rivers, they are most common in June and July.

Identification

The brown colour and the four spots on the wings make them unmistakable.

Behaviour

The male is considered to be highly aggressive and will defend a given territory from incursions from other males of the species. The male is known to form preferences for prominent perches and will often return to the same perches around the margins of pools and ponds whilst it patrols for intruders. Both Sexes are prolific fliers and mating takes place in the air, rather than on perches or amongst the vegetation. The female lays her eggs on floating vegetation. They tend to be easier to approach than Broad-bodied Chasers.

Gallery

References

*

External links

* [http://www.marietta.edu/~odonata/species/201.html USA Distribution Data ]
* [http://www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/liqua.htm British Dragonfly Society]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorayne/16154741/ Photo]
* [http://www.treknature.com/gallery/Europe/United_Kingdom/photo22325.htm Photo of "L. q. praenubila"]
* [http://www.azodes.com/dragons/skimmers/skim-four.asp Libellula quadrimaculata] at AzOdes
* [http://www.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/odonata/anisoptera/libellulidae/libellula/ Libellula quadrimaculata] at funet.fi
* [http://www.greglasley.net/fourspotskim.html Libellula quadrimaculata] profile and photos