Black dragonfly

Length 29–34 mm, abdomen 18–26 mm, hind wing 20–30 mm ^[6] . The body of adult old males often becomes completely black; young ones are yellow in color. The female body is yellow-brown, with a black stripe along the sides. The posterior margin of the prothorax has a large, almost vertical protrusion, bearing a fringe of long hairs. Black stripes surrounding 3 yellow spots and located on the side seams merge into one very wide strip. The underside and sides of the chest are black, with yellow spots and stripes. The legs are often black-striped or completely black. Shins are black. The lower lip in the middle is black and yellow on the sides ^[6] .

Trans-Palaearctic species ^[6] . Northern and middle stripes of Europe, Siberia and the Far East, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Central Asia and North America. The northern and middle strip of the European part of Russia ^[5] .

In Ukraine, in the northern regions of Siran, the species is common, but it is found in small numbers. In the southern direction, its number is declining, but in the foothills of the Carpathians, its number is increasing again. In the Black Sea lowland (except Odessa region) and in the Crimea, the species was not found. ^[7] .

Flight time: mid July - mid October. The species flies for a very long time, actually before the first snow, but the main period of flight often falls in September. The beginning of the flight time and the flight of young individuals lasts two months or more, depending on local climatic conditions. Adult dragonflies are believed to be able to winter in a temperate climate; this has not yet been recorded in Russia ^[6] .

The species prefers standing, mostly small and acidic, sometimes marshy or temporary bodies of water. Sometimes it can be found near large lakes and drainage ditches ^[6] .