Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum (Charpentier, 1840))

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.


Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) - Yvelines, France - September 18th 2005
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Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)
I have identified this sympatric with the yellow marks on the side of the thorax.



Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) - Yvelines, France - November 19th 2009
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Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)
The thin black line on the front of the head does not extend down along the eyes' edge.



Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) - Saône-et-Loire, France - October 31st 2017
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Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)
The black front line is better visible on this picture.



Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) - Yvelines, France - September 22nd 2010
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Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)
The yellow longitudinal stripes running along the legs are clearly visible on this picture.



Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) - Saône-et-Loire, France - October 31st 2017
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Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)
The yellowish brown colour indicates a female.
The pterostigmas are brownish.

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