The emperor dragonfly is the UK's largest dragonfly species whose welfare depends on large clear ponds and lakes with good water quality and emergent vegetation.
Emperor dragonfly welfare across their two-to-three year larval stage depends on clean, well-oxygenated water with abundant invertebrate prey. Eutrophication reduces oxygen levels and prey quality. As adults, territorial males expend significant energy in flight defending territories. Pesticide runoff that reduces aquatic invertebrate prey affects both larval development and adult feeding success.