Rare Lesser Emperor dragonfly spotted in Rutland
Ian Merrill, a dragonfly recorder for Leicestershire and Rutland and a member of the British Dragonfly Society, said the species was best described as a "generalist" due to its broad habitat preferences.The species was considered to be a "rare vagrant" to the UK from Europe, but has become a regular migrant across much of the country since about 2000.It has been recorded breeding in several counties, including Northamptonshire and Worcestershire.Mr Merrill said: "The first appearance of the Lesser Emperor in Leicestershire and Rutland in 2003 was therefore not unexpected, when a male was present at Priory Water, in Melton, between 15 and 26 July."More surprising was the appearance of another male at the same site between 1 and 7 August 2004."
Subsequent sightings include males at Willesley in Ashby-de-la-Zouch (2007), Frisby Gravel Pits (2009), and Rutland Water (2012).Although the species has "consolidated its presence" in the UK, Mr Merrill said it remained an "unusual occurrence" in the county and that its presence was "inextricably linked to climate change".
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