| Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum (Charpentier, 1840)) |
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Scientific name: Sympetrum striolatum (Charpentier, 1840) Common name: Common Darter French name: Sympétrum strié Order: Odonata Suborder: Anisoptera Family: Libellulidae Wingspan: 58mm Biotope: Stagnant water or slow-moving water of any nature. Adults can fly long distances. Geographic area: Widespread in Europe, Asia and northern Africa. Flight time: June to October. |
The male's body is red, duller colour than other darter species, with yellow marks on the sides of the thorax. The abdomen has parallel edges and does not widen at the rear. The female is yellowish brown. The Common Darter has black legs with yellow longitudinal stripes on the tibiae and on the femora. The thin black line on the front of the head does not extend down along the eyes' edge. The Vagrant Darter (Sympetrum vulgatum) has a black stripe on the forehead which runs downwards along the eyes' edges. The Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum) has completely black legs, without any yellow stripe. Male Red-veined Darters (Sympetrum fonscolombii) are a brighter red colour. |
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I have identified this sympatric with the yellow marks on the side of the thorax. |
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The thin black line on the front of the head does not extend down along the eyes' edge. |
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The black front line is better visible on this picture. |
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The yellow longitudinal stripes running along the legs are clearly visible on this picture. |
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The yellowish brown colour indicates a female. The pterostigmas are brownish. |
André Bon May 2023