Vagrant. There is one nineteenth century record from Waterford. The identity was confirmed by the leading expert of the time. It is unlikely that such a distinctive species remains undetected in Ireland. The Broad-bodied Chaser in Britain is found in well-vegetated still water including garden and farm ponds. Adults fly from mid May to early August.

Mature (blue abdomen) males may sometimes be confused with males of the Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum, however the latter has a much narrower abdomen and there is no dark patch at the wing-base. Immature males and females (yellowish-brown abdomen) are similar to the Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata but the latter has a much narrower abdomen and a dark patch in the middle of the leading edge of each wing.

KEY IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

• Broad, flattened abdomen which is pale blue in males and yellowish-brown in females and immature males.
• Yellow spots along sides of abdomen.
• Broad antehumeral stripes.
• Brown patch at base of wings.
• No brown spot on the middle of the leading edge of the wings.