Dragon fly picture for Id please

Beekeeper · #1 (**permalink**) 14-09-2009, 10:04 PM

Finally i have got my daughter interested in wildlife and she just emailed me this picture which she took yesterday, i would really appreciate an identification of it for her as
I promised that if it was something out of the ordinary i would send her the link so she can see any comments for herself, with a bit of luck she will join the forum.

BK

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 14-09-2009, 10:30 PM

Hi BK,

It's a female (...being yellow; males are red) Common Darter, Sympetrum striolatum to me.

Glad to see she's interested!

Take care,

Jason

Wild-Woman · #3 (**permalink**) 15-09-2009, 04:25 AM

Yes a Common Darter. These tend to be the last species on the scene each year, some hanging on in October and in some years even November!

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 15-09-2009, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Hi BK,

It's a female (...being yellow; males are red) Common Darter, Sympetrum striolatum to me.

Glad to see she's interested!

Take care,

Jason

I would say it's an immature male just beginning to colour up.

As WW they hold on until quite late- regularly a few into November + there are often odd records into early December, though I've not seen one beyond November.

Beekeeper · #5 (**permalink**) 15-09-2009, 01:54 PM

Many thanks for the replies everyone, i didn't realise the Common Darter came in different colours depending on sex of insect, something else i have learnt thanks to you all.

Regards

BK (Ian)