Still waters with tall waterside vegetation, especially rushes and sedges.

Locally common throughout Britain but has been declining since the 1990s, particularly in England.

Can be distinguished from other Emerald species by its:

• Dark narrow pterostigma (wing spots).
• Males: Segment 2 all blue. Small, narrow inferior appendages.
• Females: Isolated metallic spot above middle leg on thorax. Short ovipositor that does not extend past the end of the abdomen.