The male has a blue abdomen with a black tip and transparent wings, thorax and eyes are dark brown or green. The female and Immature males have a yellowish brown body with black zigzag marks along the abdomen and transparent wings. This species has expanded its range, assisted by the creation of gravel pits which give it the extensive open unvegetated areas it prefers. It was first recorded in Great Britain in Essex in 1934. It is decreasing rapidly in the Maltese islands.

Males may be confused with the Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva) however the latter has a dark patch at the base of the wings 
 
 

Prefers larger ponds and lakes, especially gravel pits, with bare sandy areas on the banks where the males 'skim' over the water surface flying low and very fast returning repeatedly to settle on the same bare area of bank. Females are less in evidence and spend much of their time in nearby vegetation.
 
 
 
 

Females oviposits alone but with male in attendance. Eggs are laid in flight by dipping abdomen onto water surface. Larvaes live in bottom of pond partly buried in silt. Development takes 2-3 years.  Emergence happens in early morning up to 10m away from habitat.

Flight period from end of April to the end of August. 

Preferred environment are lowland pools and lakes with shallow margins and areas of bare shore. Often in artificial sites including gravel pits. Most common in early successional stage, decreasing as plant cover increases.