Scarce Chaser

The Scarce Chaser is a species of Lowland river floodplains and usually inhabits slow-flowing, meandering rivers and large dykes. Occasionally mature gravel pits and nearby ponds also support populations. Inhabited sites characteristically have good water quality, which supports submerged and floating plants as well as prolific stands of emergent vegetation. Ovipositing females require areas of slow flowing open water, and the adults require some shrub or tree shelter.

The main threats to this species come from the inappropriate river management, river improvement schemes, pollution, eutrophication, over-shading, changing water levels and excessive boat traffic.

L. fulva is scarce in Britain and is consequently listed under category 3 (scarce) in the British Red Data Book on Insects.
The Scarce Chaser is restricted to 6 main localities in Norfolk/Suffolk, Sussex, Wiltshire/Somerset, Cambridgeshire, Kent and Dorset/Hampshire. Populations appear to be stable and there is evidence that suggests that it may be expanding its range. 

The male could be confused with Black-tailed Skimmer or Keeled Skimmer. The blue eyes help to distinguish it.

General management principles include maintaining inhabited sites and the adjacent landscape, controlling water quality, controlling boating activity, and undertaking monitoring and research. There are also best practice guidelines for managing inhabited sites, particularly regarding dredging, management of aquatic vegetation, and scrub control.

• The mature male Scarce Chaser possesses pale blue pruinescence on the abdomen and blue eyes. Prior to maturity the male and female look very similar and are highly distinctive with vivid orange colouration.
• The Scarce Chaser is a species of Lowland river floodplains and usually inhabits slow-flowing, meandering rivers and large dykes.
• Although scarce in Britain there is evidence that suggests that it is expanding its range.
• Length: 40-49mm
• May – July