www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hi all,

I know that this a butterfly site but dragonflies have been mentioned on a few threads. Does anyone know what this one is?



Thanks

Denise

Hi Denise,
I cant be 100% certain, because I can't see certain details that will confirm a positive ID, there are two likely candidates, Common or Ruddy darter, common has yellow stripes on the legs, Ruddy has black legs. Common has distinct yellowish patches on the thorax, Ruddy has not. On balance however this looks very like a Common Darter to me.

I often walk around Rickmansworth lakes and on a sunny day this time of year there are still a number of common darters around although they look a bit faded (similar to the one Denise photographed). The only other dragons still about are migrant hawkers. The weekend before last I was convinced I saw a brown hawker, however according to my dragonfly book its a bit late for them.
Dave

Thanks guys.
Will try to do better next season
Denise

Heres a shot that shows the ID points I mentioned in my earlier reply

Common Darter

Faded common darters are usually females. As they get older they go from yellow to brown. Males usually turn deeper red as they get older. I went dragonfly hunting yesterday and saw only common darters where there were both common and ruddy at the location earlier in the year. Commons are more hardy that ruddys and can live well into October.

Actually I got shots of them in Nov last year