Ruddy or Common ?

[dmclean2]

Hi all,
Can you help with conformation of ID ,
I am almost sure that this pair ,perched dangerously on the side of a drainage outlet are Ruddy Darters
I can see no yellow markings on the legs and the males body is waisted but I would like a second opinion on them,
I watched them separate from the wheel and fly in tandem with the male pushing down on the female to oviposit in the weedy mares tails in a ditch at Fowlmead, Nr Deal. the female was flicking down into the weed time and time again.and in various places along the ditch,

Cheers,
Duncan

[Dogghound]

Interesting, there seems to be a line down the legs just very hard to make out. Or is there . The female looks more like a keeled skimmer from this angle for some strange reason, even though this is impossible.

[Hedge Witch]

Mmm - I can see a yellow stripe, I think they are CDs, but not sure

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Hedge Witch

Mmm - I can see a yellow stripe, I think they are CDs, but not sure

Agree I can see pale stripes + also the yellow panels on the side of thorax (though partially obscured by wings). Look like Common Darters to me. Don't think the male is as "waisted" as a male Ruddy nor such a deep blood red of a mature male + less black on the posterior abdominal segments.

[derekmc]

I think I'd go with Common Darter as well, mainly based on the yellow on the side of the male's thorax and the orange tint on the abdomen (Ruddy Darters would be a darker, more uniform shade of red)

I'd agree with Dogghound as well - that female is a very strange colour. I don't think I've ever seen a female Common Darter with so much blue on the underside before!

All the best,
Derek

[dmclean2]

Thanks for the confirmation folks
All the best.
Duncan