Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum
 A relatively small dragonfly, very similar to Ruddy Darter, with complex and variable coloration as the insects mature. It is useful to determine the sex before making an identification, so pay particular attention to the shape of the abdomen and anal appendages.
Mature males become orange or pale red with broad yellow stripes on sides of thorax; immature males and females are yellow, with some mature females becoming orange or greyish. In comparison with other darters, Common has only a very tiny amount of yellow at the wing bases, yellow stripes along legs and a fairly parallel-sided abdomen.
Whilst identifying symeptrum species, be aware of the rare Red-veined and Yellow-winged Darters.
Status of Common Darter in Leicestershire & Rutland
Number of occupied 2km grid squares in Leicestershire & Rutland, up to the end of 2004: 196/720
The Common Darter is an abundant and widely distributed species in Leicestershire & Rutland.
Historic records show that such abundance has always been the case, with Roebuck (1932) describing the Common Darter as ‘very common and widely distributed’. |
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Distribution Map
Common Darter 2004 |
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Common Darter Habitat
Being tolerant of many different habitat types Common Darter can be found almost anywhere. It is also a very dispersive species and is regularly encountered far from water.
Flight period of Common Darter
Common Darter Photo Gallery
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