A woman in Wales had an unforgettable close encounter when Britain’s longest dragonfly landed on her thumb as if catching a ride.
Sarah Hawkes spotted the impressive golden-ringed dragonfly while walking near the Ceiriog River. The species can reach around 4 inches long, with a wingspan of similar size, making it the largest dragonfly found in Britain.
Hawkes, a conservation officer with Buglife Wales, described the insect as a “gorgeous girl” after noticing it resting on a grass stem beside a hedgerow.
Golden-ringed dragonflies are most commonly found in Wales, Scotland, and North West England, where their preferred habitats are located. They breed in acidic rivers and streams that flow from peatland and pass over sandy soils and rocky ground.
“I was walking near the Ceiriog River, which runs down from the Berwyn Hills, when I saw her holding onto a grass stem,” Hawkes said. “My dog and I were out early, and because it was still cool, she seemed a little sluggish. Insects depend on warmth from the sun, so she was probably still waking up—just like me.”
The Ceiriog forms part of the Dee River Catchment, an area recognised as one of Britain’s Important Insect Areas because of its rich and unusual insect life.
According to the North Wales Wildlife Trust, golden-ringed dragonflies are usually seen flying between May and September.
Although they look delicate, these dragonflies are powerful hunters. They feed on large insects such as wasps, beetles, bumblebees, and even other dragonflies. They are fast, agile flyers, and their young are just as formidable.
Their larvae live hidden in the beds of streams, waiting to ambush passing prey. They develop slowly and can remain underwater for up to five years before finally emerging as adult dragonflies.