Ruddy Darter

Sympetrum sanguineum

Locally common & widespread in Britain & Ireland.

The head, thorax and abdomen of the mature Male are vivid red, while the Female is slightly smaller, and is a golden-yellow colour with black markings.

The blood-red colour of the Males develop with maturity, together with a red frons and a red-brown thorax.

The abdomen widens for the final third of its length and shows a marked pinched section where it joins the thorax.

The all-black legs of the ruddy darter distinguish it from the otherwise very similar Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) and Vagrant Darter (Sympetrum vulgatum), both of which show yellow stripes on their legs.

Flies from July-Late September.