Name this bug ...

ukbluetooth · 06-06-2008, 04:26 AM

Spotted this monster flitting round my garden yesterday evening.

It is a monster - about 3.5 inches long (9cm) with a massive wingspan. I have never seen anythink like it - this is the Southeast of England. Are we being invaded? Global warming?

Hooked my Tamron 70-300 4-5.6 (what a lens for the money, especially in the sunshine) to my K10 D (I didn't want to get too close) and ....

So what is it? Links to 100% included if more detail would help.

http://www.garypics.ukgo.com/Downloads/Gardenbug1.jpg
http://www.garypics.ukgo.com/Downloads/Gardenbug2.jpg

Last edited by ukbluetooth; 11-14-2008 at 05:40 AM.

JCSullivan · 06-06-2008, 04:27 AM

A Dragon Fly

ftpaddict · 06-06-2008, 04:49 AM

It's a dragonfly (proper spelling included), more exactly a Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly.

Here's a link > Dragonfly - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Talisker · 06-06-2008, 04:57 AM

To be more precise, it's Libellula depressa (the Broadbodied chaser), and a male. The females are brown. They are common in southern England and completely harmless. Do you have a pond in the garden? The eggs are layed in water and the nymphs are aquatic (voracious predators), so expect there is water nearby.

JCSullivan · 06-06-2008, 05:27 AM

One thing to remember about dragonflies, hope my spelling is correct, is that more often than not (should I hyphenate) they will return to the same spot, time after time. So, have patience when photographing them.

ukbluetooth · 06-06-2008, 07:53 AM

Thanks guys - As always this forum is a font of knowledge.

BeerCan · 06-06-2008, 10:53 AM

This guide is only for N.A. but whenever I want to ID an insect I post the picture here ID Request - BugGuide.Net and I usually have an answer in a day or 2.

JCSullivan · 06-06-2008, 02:06 PM

Way to go BeerCan. I usually include BugGuide. The same author for both BugGuide and BirdSite in my signature. Mike's a great guy.

MJB DIGITAL · 06-06-2008, 06:01 PM

His name is Bob, I believe.

JCSullivan · 06-07-2008, 05:12 AM

Originally posted by MJB DIGITAL

His name is Bob, I believe.

If you're referring to my answer, you believe wrongly.

MJB DIGITAL · 06-08-2008, 04:03 PM

Sorry, JC, I dont know what you are talking about.

I was naming the bug. If I'm wrong...well, he must look like someone I know! 8)

JCSullivan · 06-10-2008, 05:11 AM

Quote:

The same author for both BugGuide and BirdSite in my signature. Mike's a great guy.

Thought you were referring to ^^^^^^

Blue · 06-19-2008, 07:05 PM

Originally posted by Talisker

. . .The eggs are layed in water and the nymphs are aquatic (voracious predators), so expect there is water nearby.

The the aquatic nymphs are also known as naiads.

hrishi · 06-19-2008, 08:17 PM

Here is a photo of how the nymph would look like..(though it doesnt belong to libelullidae- family of the above dragonfly)

Dragonfly Excuvae on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Just check out the jaws..it is a voracious predetor extremely effective in ambushing its prey with its expandable jaws..

Larval stage of Dragonflies can stay for 2-3 years too..esp in temperate regions..

06-06-2008, 04:26 AM	#1
ukbluetooth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Reading, UK Posts: 189	Name this bug ... Spotted this monster flitting round my garden yesterday evening. It is a monster - about 3.5 inches long (9cm) with a massive wingspan. I have never seen anythink like it - this is the Southeast of England. Are we being invaded? Global warming? Hooked my Tamron 70-300 4-5.6 (what a lens for the money, especially in the sunshine) to my K10 D (I didn't want to get too close) and .... So what is it? Links to 100% included if more detail would help. http://www.garypics.ukgo.com/Downloads/Gardenbug1.jpg http://www.garypics.ukgo.com/Downloads/Gardenbug2.jpg Last edited by ukbluetooth; 11-14-2008 at 05:40 AM.

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06-06-2008, 04:27 AM	#2
JCSullivan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Windsor, Canada Posts: 3,056	A Dragon Fly

06-06-2008, 04:49 AM	#3
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	It's a dragonfly (proper spelling included), more exactly a Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly. Here's a link > Dragonfly - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

06-06-2008, 04:57 AM	#4
Talisker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland Photos: Gallery Posts: 262	To be more precise, it's Libellula depressa (the Broadbodied chaser), and a male. The females are brown. They are common in southern England and completely harmless. Do you have a pond in the garden? The eggs are layed in water and the nymphs are aquatic (voracious predators), so expect there is water nearby.

06-06-2008, 05:27 AM	#5
JCSullivan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Windsor, Canada Posts: 3,056	One thing to remember about dragonflies, hope my spelling is correct, is that more often than not (should I hyphenate) they will return to the same spot, time after time. So, have patience when photographing them.

06-06-2008, 07:53 AM	#6
ukbluetooth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Reading, UK Posts: 189 Original Poster	Thanks guys - As always this forum is a font of knowledge.

06-06-2008, 10:53 AM	#7
BeerCan Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Riverview FL Posts: 130	This guide is only for N.A. but whenever I want to ID an insect I post the picture here ID Request - BugGuide.Net and I usually have an answer in a day or 2.

06-06-2008, 02:06 PM	#8
JCSullivan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Windsor, Canada Posts: 3,056	Way to go BeerCan. I usually include BugGuide. The same author for both BugGuide and BirdSite in my signature. Mike's a great guy.

06-06-2008, 06:01 PM	#9
MJB DIGITAL Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: st. louis Posts: 1,170	His name is Bob, I believe.

06-07-2008, 05:12 AM	#10
JCSullivan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Windsor, Canada Posts: 3,056	Originally posted by MJB DIGITAL His name is Bob, I believe. If you're referring to my answer, you believe wrongly.

06-08-2008, 04:03 PM	#11
MJB DIGITAL Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: st. louis Posts: 1,170	Sorry, JC, I dont know what you are talking about. I was naming the bug. If I'm wrong...well, he must look like someone I know! 8)

06-10-2008, 05:11 AM	#12
JCSullivan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Windsor, Canada Posts: 3,056	Quote: The same author for both BugGuide and BirdSite in my signature. Mike's a great guy. Thought you were referring to ^^^^^^

06-19-2008, 07:05 PM	#13
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Talisker . . .The eggs are layed in water and the nymphs are aquatic (voracious predators), so expect there is water nearby. The the aquatic nymphs are also known as naiads.

06-19-2008, 08:17 PM	#14
hrishi Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pune, India Photos: Gallery Posts: 149	Here is a photo of how the nymph would look like..(though it doesnt belong to libelullidae- family of the above dragonfly) Dragonfly Excuvae on Flickr - Photo Sharing! Just check out the jaws..it is a voracious predetor extremely effective in ambushing its prey with its expandable jaws.. Larval stage of Dragonflies can stay for 2-3 years too..esp in temperate regions..