Dragonflies and damselflies ID confirmation pretty please

riggy · #1 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 10:23 AM

Hello

First may I say thanks for the help in previous post. So sorry to be a pain but can i ask for confirmation of the ID of the following. All pics taken Sunday morning 0700 - 0930ish at Kiveton Woodlands near Sheffield.
Pics taken with a Sony A200 using the 18 -70 lens, any comments on how to improve the pics also welcome

1 and 2 Common Darter

3 Was thinking Beautiful demoiselle but after looking at olies pics in the Gallery now think female emerald

Cheers

Paul

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 10:48 AM

1,2. Common darter
3. Emerald damselfly.

riggy · #3 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 11:01 AM

cheers

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 06:49 PM

I would say the first darter photo shows a teneral Ruddy Darter. The legs appear to be totally black- a diagnostic feature of this species ( have seen quite a few of these over the weekend as well as a couple of mature specimens). The individual also appears shorter than a Common Darter. Immature Ruddies often show the yellow patches on the side of the thorax like Common, which are absent in adults.

Dogghound · #5 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I would say the first darter photo shows a teneral Ruddy Darter. The legs appear to be totally black- a diagnostic feature of this species ( have seen quite a few of these over the weekend as well as a couple of mature specimens). The individual also appears shorter than a Common Darter. Immature Ruddies often show the yellow patches on the side of the thorax like Common, which are absent in adults.

The legs have stripes down them in these photo's. Ruddy darter does not have this.

aeshna5 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

The legs have stripes down them in these photo's. Ruddy darter does not have this.

All I can say is that I see a pale base to the leg + then black legs. Maybe my eyes but I can't see any yellow stripes down them.

Dogghound · #7 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 07:23 PM

The front right leg is easiest to see it on, on the left photo. Goes the whole way along. I admit its not the most clear photo.

RoyW · #8 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

The legs have stripes down them in these photo's. Ruddy darter does not have this.

I agree with Dogghound - the yellow stripes are there, they aren't easy to see in these photos though.

Roy.

seamusagleann · #9 (**permalink**) 07-07-2009, 12:39 AM

visited my beautiful d site today (monday), happy to report the there were four or five boys waiting for the girls to appear. this is just south of oban !! does anyone know if this is the most northenly site in britain!!!

earthdragon64 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-07-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamusagleann

visited my beautiful d site today (monday), happy to report the there were four or five boys waiting for the girls to appear. this is just south of oban !! does anyone know if this is the most northenly site in britain!!!

I've never seen one myself, but according to the Wild Guides Britains Dragonflies book, there is a site which is either on Skye, or the mainland nearby. It's difficult to see where as the distribution maps are quite small.

Also, the British Dragnfly Society had a meeting to look for Beautiful Demoiselles at a site they are known at somewhere on the west coast. I can't quite remember exactly when or where, but it was in the last couple of years and certainly north of Oban, I remember being quite disappointed that I couldn't go.