A few days ago Dean asked whether Broad-bodied Chasers were able to co-exist with Four-spotted Chasers.
In the unpolluted high quality National Pond Survey sites – which are our most natural ponds – these two species were found in 15% and 20% of sites respectively: so both pretty widespread.
But although both species were found at getting on for a fifth of all good quality ponds in England, Wales and Scotland we only rarely found them together – in fact in only two locations of those we surveyed. So it looks as though they are not often found breeding at the same site.
Whether Broad-bodied Chaser chase off Four-spots I’m not sure: males are quite territorial, so it’s not impossible. However, it’s also likely that there are differences in habitat preferences of larvae with Broad-bodied Chasers clearly happy in very new ponds.
In Abingdon, we’ve so far only found Broad-bodied Chasers in the garden ponds.
