[1] It is the longest British species of dragonfly,[2] and the only member of its genus to be found in the United Kingdom.

[3] In the United Kingdom, they are easily identified by their distinctive black and yellow stripes, which is not found in any other dragonfly in the country.

[5] The female is the longest British dragonfly, in part due to the unusually long ovipositor,[2] and in other measurements it is exceeded by the emperor (Anax imperator).

Their bright yellow and black stripes make them easy to identify, even from a fair distance away.

They feed mainly on insects ranging from small prey such as midges to flies, butterflies and even bumblebees.