Male Common Darters are a vibrant red, orange colour while the females are a duller shade of yellowy brown. Both have dark legs with a yellow stripe running down the side. The eyes in both sexes are a rich chocolaty brown colour on top with a yellow strip underneath. Very similar to the Ruddy Darter but can be clearly distinguished by the lack of the yellow stripe on the legs. Common Darters are also larger
Latin name: Sympetrum striolatum
Size: 40-45mm long
Overview
This colourful dragonfly is one of our most common and likely to be seen in various types of habitat. Adults lay eggs in soft mud or on still water surfaces where they sink to the bottom. Larvae hide and feed amongst aquatic vegetation and emerge after one year, usually in June. In warmer years, the Common Darter may be seen later than most species, flying into November. As opposed to the hawkers which stay on the wing searching for prey, these crafty predators wait in a sunny spot and ambush passing prey. They will also return to the same perch after chasing their prey and tend to pick bright, prominent spots on fences, hedges or other high spots. While they breed in still waters, they are often found far from breeding grounds, frequently in gardens or fields.
In the garden
This is a very successful species, which is likely to appear in any garden with a pond as well as many without. Its ritual of returning to the same spot after chasing its prey make it easy to spot and study. Numbers are strong and its colourful presence will adorn gardens across the country throughout the summer with little effort to attract it.