Yellow-winged Darter  Sympetrum flaveolum

A relatively small dragonfly, similar in size and shape to Common Darter, with similar coloration in corresponding ages and sexes. Differences include the extensive yellow suffusion at the wing bases, which, unlike other darters which can show yellow at the wing bases, reaches the centre of the wing in both sexes of Yellow-winged (more prominent in mature males), the yellow veins at wing-bases, pale, brownish pterostigma, and more extensive black on abdomen sides. Extreme care should be taken in identifying this rare visitor - compare Common, Ruddy and the equally rare Red-veined Darter.

 Status of Yellow-winged Darter in Leicestershire & Rutland

Number of occupied 2km grid squares in Leicestershire & Rutland, up to the end of 2004: 2/720 The Yellow-winged Darter is a regular migrant to Britain from the continent. There was a large immigration during early August 1995 when this species was recorded over much of Britain. Coinciding with this mass arrival several undocumented records occurred in Leicestershire & Rutland, at Rutland Water NR and Priory Water. Following apparent breeding activity at Rutland Water in 1995, at least		Distribution Map Yellow-winged Darter 2004
one adult was reportedly seen to emerge on the Egleton Reserve in 1996. These remain the only Leicestershire & Rutland records to date, although none are supported by a formal description.

 Yellow-winged Darter Habitat

As a long-distance migrant, Yellow-winged Darter can occur far from water. It is normally associated with well-vegetated, marshy pools and lake edges.

 Flight period of Yellow-winged Darter

 Yellow-winged Darter Photo Gallery