A celebration of the British dragonfly

The broad-bodied chaser has an approximate wingspan of 70mm, and is active between May and August Photograph: National Trust

The hairy dragonfly, also known as the hairy hawker lives in ponds, lakes, fens, ditches, and canals rich in vegetation Photograph: National Trust

The four-spotted chaser's larvae have a two-year developmental cycle which feed primarily on other aquatic insect larvae and tadpoles Photograph: National Trust

The northern damselfly has an extraordinary blue hue, but is a weak flyer with a very restricted range and is found in only a few small lochans in Scotland and other parts of the UK Photograph: National Trust

Wetland habitats such as Wicken Fen are very important for dragonflies, which are in decline nationally Photograph: Paul Harris/National Trust

A pair of large red damselflies, which inhabit ponds and dykes and occasionally slow-moving rivers Photograph: National Trust

The Norfolk hawker has historically been found in the Cambridgeshire fens although it is basically a Mediterranean species Photograph: National Trust

Mature azure damselflies are frequently seen mating and laying eggs. They usually stay close to the vegetation around ponds or lakes, and fly from May to September Photograph: National Trust

The black-tailed skimmer dragonfly, usually found near open water along the shore, where the patrolling males frequently rest in the sun Photograph: Christian Ricci/Getty Images

Unlike most other damselflies, the emerald damselfly usually rests with its wings half open at an angle of approximately 45 degrees Photograph: Alastair Shay/Corbis

The emperor dragonfly is a large and powerful species of European hawker dragonfly averaging 78mm in length Photograph: Michael Hutchinson/Rex Features

The ruddy sympetrum dragonfly has a wingspan of up to 6cm and can be seen between July and November Photograph: Martin Ruegner/Getty Images