Ruddy Darter
Sympetrum sanguineum
Notable/Nb
The mature male is a striking individual, with a blood-red abdomen and pinched waist giving it a club-shaped appearance. It also has uniformly dark black legs. The female has a brownish body, very similar to the Common Darter, but can be identified with care by its black legs.
As a breeding species it prefers well vegetated pools, and can tolerate brackish conditions, so is not uncommon at the coast in all the main nature reserves. It tends to appear on the wing a week or so before the Common Darter, but only persists into mid-September. It is a strong migrant, so it is important to note if observations refer to breeding, particularly on the coast, to assess the true status of the county's increasing population.
Nationally it is designated a Notable/Nb species, occurring mainly south of the Humber/Severn line, although rare in the south-west and Wales.
Distribution map
Male
Female
