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Golden ringed dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii). One of the largest dragonflies in the UK, the golden ringed dragonfly can be found along the west coast of Britain and the south of England. The females have a long oviposter at the tip of their abdomen, which is used to bury their eggs deep in sandy riverbeds. The nymphs spend most of their life partially submerged, waiting for prey. Dragonflies are predatory insects, often catching other insects mid-flight. They have large compound eyes and can be distinguished from the closely related damselflies by the fact that they hold their wings out even when resting. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/DAVID AUBREY) === ===