Blue Emperor dragonfly

Afrikaans name: Blou Keiser

Photo © Steven Herbert

Anax imperator

The Blue Emperor is a large dragonfly with a length of over 7 cm. It's wingspan is around 10 cm.

The male is an attractive dragonfly with a blue abdomen and green thorax. The female is also attractive but her colours are duller.

The Blue Emperor hunts for food by patrolling over bodies of water or grassland. They feed on butterfliesand other insects and it is said that it may feed off other dragonflies.

They have a wide distribution and occur in Africa, Europe and parts of Asia.

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References and further reading

A Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa - Author: Warwick and Michele Tarboton - Year Published: 2015 - Page: 108

First Field Guide to Dragonflies of Southern Africa - Author: Warren and Vienessa Goodwin - Year Published: - Page: 28

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 400