Common darter

The common darter, a dragonfly from the Libellulidae family, is native to Eurasia and particularly prevalent in Europe. You will frequently encounter these dragonflies around various water bodies, favoring still waters like ponds and lakes. In the southern regions of their range, adult common darters can be seen flying year-round.

Distinguishing different species within the Sympetrum genus, which includes the common darter, can be challenging. Females and juveniles exhibit a light yellow thorax and abdomen, while mature males develop a striking red coloration. As females age, they darken and may even acquire a bluish tint on their abdomen, with their wings turning brown. One distinctive feature of the common darter is the cream or yellow stripe on a black background on their legs.

These dragonflies are ambush predators. They perch on prominent spots like leaves or gates, waiting to chase down prey as it flies by. Near breeding waters, they can be quite territorial, often attempting to drive away larger dragonflies. However, away from water, they might gather in large numbers for hunting. During mating, the male clasps the female in tandem and releases her eggs over water with a swinging motion.

The conservation status of the common darter is stable. It is one of the most abundant dragonfly species in Europe, showing no signs of decline. The highland darter, once thought to be a separate species, is now considered a subspecies of the common darter, found in places like Ireland, Scotland, and Norway.