Golden-ringed Dragonfly

This fabulous insect was trapped inside my mother's kitchen and, sadly, not discovered until it was too late. It is somewhat dusty and the colours are faded, but it is still an impressive specimen. In life, it would have had bright green eyes.

The Golden-ringed dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) is one of about 30 species in Great Britain and Ireland, and associated with rivers and streams in southern England, Wales, the Lake District and Western Scotland. The females are the UK's longest dragonflies because of the long ovipositors, as here.