Common Darter
(Sympetrum striolatum)

The Common Darter is arguably the most successful Darter species in Europe in that it's very common throughout its huge range. Only in Northern Scandinavia is it rare. Sympetrum striolatum is a small dragonfly, although it's generally a bit bigger than e.g. its congeners S. danae and S. sanguineum. The male's abdomen is an orangey red which is slightly lighter than the deeper, brick-red colour of its twin species the Moustached Darter. Females and immature males have a yellow abdomen and thorax. The species' two main distinguishing features are the yellow patches on the side of the thorax, and the absence of a black 'tear-drop' along the inside edge of the eye.

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