Broad-bodied chasers

Broad-bodied chasers

Broad-bodied chasers are common and widespread in the New Forest and can be seen wherever there is still water. They are common and widespread in the southern part of England and south Wales. Almost any still water of any size will hold a few.

Broad-bodied chasers will breed in any still water from the edges of large lakes to small garden ponds, but they do tend to favour the smaller bodies of water. They are often seen patrolling a territory of large puddles! Almost any small pool, pond or large puddle in the New Forest will have a male patrolling it from June to mid-August.

This is one species that easily and quickly colonises new ponds, so if you dig a pond in your garden these beautiful insects are bound to arrive in the first year or two. If you keep the pond free of fish then the dragonflies will breed successfully.