Dragon ID please (lots)

Za · #1 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 08:23 PM

Hi all, I think most of these are common darters, but not sure on others. Chobham common was buzzing today

And a nice big green grasshopper (or cricket)

Cheers
Za

mh68 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 08:28 PM

All Common Darters i`d say Za, 1,2 and 4 being females, 3 is an immature male as far as I can tell, and the last 3 being mature males.Cant help on the Grasshopper though but no doubt someone else will be able to ID it for you

Mark H

GuyF · #3 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 08:28 PM

I'm pretty sure all your Dragonflies are Common Darters, they're nice shots

Your cricket is a Bog Bush-cricket, quite local insects. I've seen my first few of these this summer.
Guy

Za · #4 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 08:31 PM

Thanks for the quick replies, I thought quite a few were common darters, but with so many different colours I thought there might have been others there.
Za

mh68 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 08:41 PM

The colours vary greatly Za, females can redden with age,thus looking similar to males.Immatures of both sexes are very similar (as in your 3rd pic) so have to be told apart by the anal appendages.As I posted on Winnie`s thread last night (i think) if in doubt check the legs....Common Darters` legs have a diagnostic cream stripe.

Mark H