Quick IdentificationCommon Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)
Male Common Darter
Quick ID Guide
Welcome to my quick identification guide of the Common Darter.
These graphics are meant as a guide to the key identifying features of both the male and the female dragonflies.
The text section has been kindly written & supplied by Mr Ken Crick.
For a more complete species description, follow the link below to the Common Darter narrative.
The colouration of the abdomen can be some what variable, from light red to an orange tinged with red and straw. The cooler the ambient air temperature the more likely the abdomen is to appear dull orange. The legs of both sexes are black with a yellow band along their length. The thorax upper surface is brown with some individuals exhibiting poorly defined antehumeral stripes. There are two large blue / yellow patches on each side of the thorax. Quite close observation is required to note the black line running in front of and between the eyes. For this species the line terminates at the eye and does not continue downwards as in other similar Sympetrum.
Female Common Darter
Alternatively follow the link to the main species page.
Not the species you were looking for.
All of the images and graphics are by Chris Brooks.
Has a brown thorax with yellow side patches, straw coloured abdomen with black side darts. As with the male diffuse antehumeral stripes may be present but the obvious diagnostic feature is the yellow longitudinal line on the outer surface of the black legs.
Chris Brooks Photography
(www.dragonfly-images.co.uk)
