One of two ubiquitous red-bodied (♂) Sympetrum species found in the UK, the other being S. sanguineum (Ruddy Darter). S. striolatum tends to be a more orange-red and has a light stripe running longitudinally down each leg. It tends to be the last dragonfly, certainly the last darter, on the wing in the UK year.
[I have a couple of comparison charts that should help with Darter identification.]
ID Notes
- legs black with a light (yellow) longitudinal stripe
- ♂ – contrasting brown and light yellowish panels on side of thorax
- mature ♂ – abdomen more orange in appearance than the very red S. sanguineum
- ♀ – yellow abdomen, darkens to dull olive/greenish with age
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| teneral male |
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| in cop |
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| ovipositing | |
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| in flight | |
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