There are four records of Lesser Emperor (Anax parthenope) in Monmouthshire:

1. One at Lamby Lake on 4 August 2006; an account by the finder, Andy Karran, can be read here.

2. One at Ynys y Fro reservoirs from 22 to 31 July 2018.

3. One at Ynys y Fro reservoirs on 17 July 2022.

These two individuals were both found by Darryl Spittle, and his account of these finds can be read here.

4. Two males and a female were found, and seen to exhibit breeding behaviour, at Wentwood reservoir by Steve Preddy, Lucy Arnold-Matthews and Ollie Jenkins-Boobyer on 7 July 2023: an account can be found here.

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.