Species: Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)
Family: Dragonflies (LIBELLULOIDEA)
Category: Insects (Other)
Location: One Sighting
A. Insects (Other)
More extensive information on insects can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Dragonflies (LIBELLULOIDEA)
Chasers and Darters are members of the Libellulidae family. With three other families of insects - the Corduliidae (emeralds and green-eyed skimmers), the Gomphomacromiidae and the Macrommiidae (the cruisers and skimmers) - they make up what is called the superfamily of dragonflies (Libelluloidea).
The Chasers and Darters are a brightly coloured, banded-winged family, which is the largest dragonfly family in the world. Their bodies are shorter and broader than the popular image of the dragonfly.
C. Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)
The Common Darter is one of Britain's smaller dragonflies. The male is orange-red, turning browner with age. Female Common Darters are a mixture of yellow and brown, as are the younger males, although these have pink-tinged areas on their bodies.
The Common Darter is a renown percher, lurking on twigs for a passing meal. It is common in England and can be found away from water.
Images
Common Darter
The Common Darter is one of Britain's smaller dragonflies.
Common Darter
The male is orange-red, turning browner with age. Female Common Darters are a mixture of yellow and brown, as are the younger males, although these have pink-tinged areas on their bodies. This individual is probably a female. Its colour conforms to this description - but it also appears to lack the 'bump' that male dragonflies have on the underside of their abdomens just after where it joins the thorax.
Common Darter
The Common Darter is a renown percher, lurking on twigs for a passing meal, which is probably what this individual is doing.
