Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) was first recorded in Monmouthshire at Lamby Lake on 4 August 2006 by Andy Karran; Andy’s finder’s report can be read here.

The next two records were at Ynys y Fro reservoirs from 22 to 31 July 2018, and on 17 July 2022. These two individuals were both found by Darryl Spittle, who has written about these finds here.

2023 saw our first record of multiple individuals – two males and a female – at Wentwood reservoir by Steve Preddy, Lucy Arnold-Matthews and Ollie Jenkins-Boobyer on 7 July 2023: an account of these individuals, which displayed breeding behaviour, can be found here.

Paul Grennard found one at Newport Wetlands Nature Reserve, Uskmouth on 3 August 2024.

At least two male Lesser Emperors were present at Wentwood reservoir in 2025, likely to be the progeny of the 2023 breeding attempt. Individuals were also seen at Goldcliff and Uskmouth Nature Reserves that year.

With the species being found for four years in a row, and successful breeding likely at Wentwood, more records can be expected in coming years.

Lesser Emperor is found across Europe from southern Portugal east to Greece and north to northern France and the Baltic, in Asia, from Turkey east to China, and in north Africa. It has expanded its range northwards and is now regularly seen across southern England, with breeding taking place at a few favourable sites. It is still a rare visitor to Wales.