Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)

The Common Darter

This is a widespread and common dragonfly which can be resident in a wide and varied range of habitats and includes still waters, ditches and seepages.

The Common Darter may be seen on the wing from late June through to October & often into November.

In the southern half of the UK, apart from migrants, it is most likely to be confused with a Ruddy Darter.

The Common Darter may be identified by its lighter abdomen, which is brick red in colour & by the light stripes on its legs.

The females of both species are a straw colour and may need closer examination to tell them apart. This is a busy dragonfly, which rarely settles in one place for long.