Bug FAQGolden-ringed Dragonfly
Cordulegaster boltonii · Order: Odonata · Family: Cordulegastridae
Also called: Common Goldenring
The golden-ringed dragonfly is a very large species, with males about 74 mm long and females around 84 mm, and a wingspan up to 101 mm. It is easily recognised by its bright black and yellow striped body, a pattern not shared by any other UK dragonfly. It lives near flowing waters such as streams and mountain rivers, and can also be seen over heathland and occasional ponds across Europe and north-western Africa.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
In the UK it shows distinctive black and yellow stripes that make it stand out from other dragonflies. The bright striping is visible from a distance.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Males average 74 mm in length, females about 84 mm. Wings can reach up to 101 mm across.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
Found widely in Europe and locally in north-western Africa, especially near streams and other flowing water. Often seen flying leisurely over mountain streams, rivers, heathland and sometimes ponds.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Adults hunt insects such as midges, flies, butterflies and bumblebees. The larvae are hairy, live on the bottom of water bodies and blend into the silt.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Females lay eggs in shallow water. Adults emerge after 2 to 5 years, usually at night.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It is the longest British dragonfly species and the only member of its genus in the UK. Its range includes most of Europe and parts of north-western Africa, favouring flowing waters.
Source: Wikipedia
More photos
Questions people ask
What do golden-ringed dragonflies eat?
Adults catch small insects like midges, flies, butterflies and bumblebees, while the larvae hide in silt and feed on aquatic prey.
Source: Wikipedia
Where can I see golden-ringed dragonflies?
Look near flowing streams, mountain rivers, heathland and occasional ponds across Europe and north-western Africa.
Source: Wikipedia
How big do they get?
Males are about 74 mm long, females about 84 mm, with a wingspan up to 101 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
How can I tell this dragonfly apart from others?
Its bright black and yellow striped body is unique among UK dragonflies.
Source: Wikipedia
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden-ringed_dragonfly
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.