Darter (I think) for confirmation please

[Geoff F]

A couple of days ago, a friend sent me some photos to check the ID and one was labeled 'Green Eyed Skimmer'. Photographed in S. Devon during early September.



Now, I'm certainly no expert on Dragonflies but I thought a Green Eyed Skimmer was an American species. Or is it also a local name for a UK species?

Looking at the photo, with some of the relevant aspects in deep shadow, I was thinking Common Darter as the most likely; possibly an immature male. Alternatively, an immature male Ruddy Darter.

I think I can see a faint pale stripe on the fore legs but it could be a trick of the light. That patch of red on the start of the abdomen is what was making me consider an immature male but I know some females can be a bit variable in colouration. And there is a bit of black towards the tail end.

So what are the most likely answers, Green Eyed Skimmer or Darter?

[aeshna5]

Green-eyed Skimmer is a North American species.

What you have is a male Common Darter.

[Geoff F]

Thanks for the confirmation. I thought I was probably on the correct lines but as I am a total novice with dragonflies, I though I had better check with a more knowledgeable person before making a total idiot of myself!

Just one moth to check out for him now. Think I have photographed something similar myself earlier this year; but if I can't find a match I will ask for more help in the Moth forum.

[erdragonfly]

Photo is of a Common Darter, however it is a mature female which can be identified from the anal appendages and the vulvar scale which is just visible.

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

Good morning Geoff,

It's a Ruddy Darter for me... I can't see a yellow stripe on the legs, and perhaps more obviously there are yellow veins where the wings join the body - to the best of my knowledge this is a feature lacking in Commons. Not too sure about the pterostygma, though. I'll await other opinions.

Take care,

Jason

[erdragonfly]

Yellow at base of wings is present in both species. Vulvar scale is not present on Ruddy Darter, therefore ruling out this species. The yellow leg stripe is virtually indistinguishable in mature Common Darters.

[Geoff F]

Thanks for all the info.

If you look really closely at the fore legs there is a faint pale stripe running along the tarsus on both legs but it isn't clear so I wouldn't rely on that alone and the rest of the legs appear to have darkened with age, which is quite common.

I keep meaning to get a good dragonfly/damselfly book but until this year I wasn't seeing sufficient specimens to justify the cost. Maybe something to consider before next summer. Perhaps I will find something at a reduced price in February!

Will have a bit of fun with my friend about his secret trip to America to photograph the Green-eyed Skimmer. But I think there is a warning for everybody here. It is so easy to do an internet search and find yourself on a US site without realising it. I know I have been there and wondered why I found the correct family but not the UK species, until I checked the site more carefully.

Another thing is that he is slightly colour blind so sees a partially different specimen to other people.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Good morning Geoff,

It's a Ruddy Darter for me... I can't see a yellow stripe on the legs, and perhaps more obviously there are yellow veins where the wings join the body - to the best of my knowledge this is a feature lacking in Commons. Not too sure about the pterostygma, though. I'll await other opinions.

Take care,

Jason

Common Darters can show this yellow on the wing. Shape is also not right for Ruddy Darter.