This Emperor species is a very rare visitor to Sussex with all records since 2011 and most of those on or near the coast.
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male Photo: David Sadler
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male Photo: David Sadler
3 / 3
mating Photo: David Sadler
National status
Rare migrant from sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.
Status in Sussex
The first record was of one that was caught and photographed at Elm’s Farm, Icklesham on 13 November 2011. A male was then photographed at the Old Fort, Shoreham on 30 October 2013 and seen again on 2 November by David Saddler. Another was seen at Lancing Business Park on 1 October 2018 and was followed by a significant arrival in 2019 with records from Brighton, Cissbury Ring, Cuckmere Haven, Hove, Steyning and Worthing between 13 October and 8 November. One was at the Knepp Estate on 17 November 2021.
Distribution at 1km scale
Flight times
In the UK this is a species that might be encountered at any time of the year including the winter. It is interesting that the Sussex records to date have all been in October and November. Its arrival in the UK seems to sometimes coincide with deposits of Saharan dust.
Phenology (adult)
Habitat
Breeds in small ponds and marshes and can tolerate brackish conditions.
Similar species
See Southern Hawker for a discussion of possible confusion species. The dark blue patch on the top of the front end of the fairly dark abdomen is distinctive in the male with only the Lesser Emperor having anything similar.
This Emperor species is a very rare visitor to Sussex with all records since 2011 and most of those on or near the coast.
1 / 3
male Photo: David Sadler
2 / 3
male Photo: David Sadler
3 / 3
mating Photo: David Sadler
National status
Rare migrant from sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.
Status in Sussex
The first record was of one that was caught and photographed at Elm’s Farm, Icklesham on 13 November 2011. A male was then photographed at the Old Fort, Shoreham on 30 October 2013 and seen again on 2 November by David Saddler. Another was seen at Lancing Business Park on 1 October 2018 and was followed by a significant arrival in 2019 with records from Brighton, Cissbury Ring, Cuckmere Haven, Hove, Steyning and Worthing between 13 October and 8 November. One was at the Knepp Estate on 17 November 2021.
Distribution at 1km scale
Flight times
In the UK this is a species that might be encountered at any time of the year including the winter. It is interesting that the Sussex records to date have all been in October and November. Its arrival in the UK seems to sometimes coincide with deposits of Saharan dust.
Phenology (adult)
Habitat
Breeds in small ponds and marshes and can tolerate brackish conditions.
Similar species
See Southern Hawker for a discussion of possible confusion species. The dark blue patch on the top of the front end of the fairly dark abdomen is distinctive in the male with only the Lesser Emperor having anything similar.
