Scarlet dragonfly

The *Crocothemis erythraea*, commonly known as the broad scarlet, common scarlet-darter, scarlet darter, or simply the scarlet dragonfly, is a vibrant species belonging to the Libellulidae family. These striking dragonflies inhabit regions such as southern Europe, Africa, western Asia, and southern China. Interestingly, they have occasionally been spotted in Britain, with the first recorded sighting in Cornwall in 1995.

These dragonflies are highly adaptable in terms of their habitats. They thrive in both running and still waters but tend to avoid shaded areas. You might even encounter them far from water, in environments ranging from deserts to open woodlands. However, they typically steer clear of dense forests.

The scarlet dragonfly is relatively small, measuring about 33–44 millimeters in length. They possess a distinct, flattened, and broad abdomen. The adult males are particularly eye-catching with their bright scarlet red abdomens, which are wider and feature small amber patches at the bases of their hindwings. Their wing veins are also a striking red. In contrast, females and immature scarlet dragonflies are yellow-brown with a noticeable pale stripe running along the top of their thoraxes.