Insects diurnal

Scarce Chaser

Libellula fulva

A rare gem of the wetlands, the Scarce Chaser dazzles with its striking transition from vibrant orange to sky blue. Watch these master aerialists defend their sunny perches with incredible speed and precision.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Body length of 42-45 mm (1.6-1.8 inches) with a wingspan averaging 74 mm (2.9 inches)

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Colors

Mature males feature a powder-blue abdomen with a distinct black tip; females and juveniles are a vibrant, fiery orange with a black line down the center of the abdomen.

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Key Features

Distinctive dark triangular patches at the base of the hindwings
Mature males have a 'dusty' blue abdomen with black terminal segments
Females possess a bright orange abdomen with a black dorsal stripe
Dark smoky patches often visible at the wing tips

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

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Season May-July

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Diet Aerial predator that feeds on a variety of small flying insects including gnats, mosquitoes, and smaller damselflies, often returning to a perch to consume its catch.

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Habitat Slow-flowing rivers, floodplains, and well-vegetated canals or ponds with plenty of margin plants.

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Behavior

The Scarce Chaser is a territorial and highly observant dragonfly often found perched on emergent vegetation near slow-moving water. Unlike some dragonflies that spend hours on the wing, this species prefers a 'sit-and-wait' strategy. Males choose prominent perches—such as tall reeds or overhanging twigs—from which they defend their territory against rivals and dart out to intercept passing prey or potential mates.

When they aren't hunting, they spend significant time basking in the sun to regulate their body temperature. They are remarkably fast flyers but usually return to the same handful of favorite perches throughout the day. While they can be wary of sudden movements, they are generally approachable if you move slowly, making them a favorite subject for backyard naturalists with a patient eye.

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Camera Tips

To capture high-quality footage of the Scarce Chaser, the secret lies in identifying their 'habitual perches.' These dragonflies are creatures of habit; if you see one landing on a specific reed or twig, it will likely return to that exact spot dozens of times. Position your AI camera on a tripod roughly 1 to 2 feet away from these perching spots. Because dragonflies are small, you will need a camera with a good macro focus capability or a close-up lens attachment to fill the frame.

Lighting is your best friend when filming the Scarce Chaser. Aim to have the sun behind your camera or at a slight side angle (45 degrees) to highlight the 'pruinescence'—the dusty blue wax—on the male's abdomen. This waxy coating can reflect light beautifully but can also 'blow out' in harsh direct midday sun, so early afternoon light is often the most flattering for capturing their intricate wing venation and color depth.

If your backyard doesn't have a natural perch near the water's edge, you can create a 'camera lure.' Simply push a bamboo cane or a slender, attractive branch into the mud near the water so that it stands taller than the surrounding grass. The Scarce Chaser will often choose the highest available vantage point, making this artificial perch the perfect stage for your camera. Set your camera's trigger speed to its fastest setting, as their take-offs and landings are lightning-fast.

For those using motion-activated cameras, ensure the sensitivity is set to high, as the small mass of a dragonfly might not always trigger standard PIR sensors. If your camera allows for 'Time Lapse' mode with short intervals (every 5-10 seconds), this is often a more reliable way to ensure you catch them during their long periods of sun-basking on their favorite reed.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Scarce Chaser.

Broad-bodied Chaser

The Broad-bodied Chaser has a much wider, flatter abdomen and lacks the black-tipped tail found on the Scarce Chaser.

Four-spotted Chaser

This species has two dark spots on the leading edge of each wing, whereas the Scarce Chaser only has spots at the wing bases and tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scarce Chasers are most active during the warmest part of the day, typically between 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun is high and they have enough thermal energy for rapid flight.

To attract them, you need a healthy wildlife pond with plenty of 'emergent' vegetation like iris or reeds. Adding vertical sticks or canes near the water provides them with the perfect perching spots for hunting and basking.

They are carnivorous hunters that eat other flying insects. Their diet mainly consists of midges, flies, and mosquitoes, which they catch mid-air using their legs like a basket.

They are relatively rare and specific about their habitat, but they can be found in suburban gardens if there is a nearby slow-moving river or a well-established canal system.

While both can be blue, the Scarce Chaser has a black tip at the end of its abdomen and dark patches at the base of the wings, whereas the Broad-bodied Chaser is much wider and lacks the black tip.

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