Blue Emperor
(Anax imperator)

Of the four European Emperor species, the Blue Emperor is easily the commonest and most widespread; only in Scandinavia is it still rare. Anax imperator is a large dragonfly and a formidable hunter, which regularly preys on smaller dragonflies. Its most distinguishing features include the male's striking light-blue abdomen (pale brownish green in the female) and the apple-green thorax.

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