UPDATED CHECKLIST: An Adobe pdf version of the checklist as at December 2018 is available here (click to view/download - approx 10 MB).

View lists of Odonata: Dragonflies and Damselflies by eighth degree grid square

Anax imperator
      Blue Emperor
   Mlawula

View photos in Biodiversity Explorer

Distribution: Widespread and common throughout South Africa, from sea level to 2000 m a.s.l. Continental Africa, to Europe and West Asia.
Body Length: 74-75 mm
Hind Wing Length: 50-51 mm
Habitat: Mostly pools and dams with an abundance of waterweed, lilies and fringing reeds.
Flight Period: October to June, occasionally July to September.
Features: Very large, bright blue and black. Hawks across pools and dams with abundance of fringing reeds. Throughout South Africa.
Comments: Occurrence in Eswatini confirmed by photos by Gerhard Diedericks and Kate Braun.

5 records, from 9/27/2013 to 2/13/2018

Information extracted from "Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa" by Michael J Samways, which also includes detailed descriptions of each species.