Favours lakes, slow rivers, ponds and occasionally marshy area, that have open water and bare patches along the shore. Patrolling males frequently rest in the sun on bare ground.

Quite common in south-east Britain. This species has spread significantly in both England and Wales

since the late 1980s, but was only recorded for the first time in Scotland in 2006.

Keeled Skimmer

• Yellow pterostigma not dark.
• Males don’t have dark colouration on the abdomen.
• Females have a thin black marking down the middle of the abdomen instead of the ladder pattern.

Scarce Chaser

• Black costa not yellow.
• Males have blue eyes not green.
• Females have a black marking down the middle of the abdomen instead of the ladder pattern.