Dragonfly id please

gbvnh1 · #1 (**permalink**) 29-08-2010, 11:09 AM

Hi All,

Can anyone confirm my id of a ruddy darter seen yesterday in the New Forest? Collins British insects doesn't refer to the any paleness of the thorax in the male, and only mentions the yellow patch under the wing in the female, though the abdomen fits the description for the male.

Thanks!

david156 · #2 (**permalink**) 29-08-2010, 11:47 AM

Yes, thats a Ruddy Darter. Your picture is almost identical to the picture in my field guide.

David

gbvnh1 · #3 (**permalink**) 29-08-2010, 12:14 PM

thanks for the quick response!

RoyW · #4 (**permalink**) 29-08-2010, 12:19 PM

Sorry, this is actually a Common Darter.

Common Darters do actually have a slightly narrower central part to the abdomen, with a wider section towards the end, it's just less obvious than on a Ruddy Darter (and viewed from above the abdomen of Common Darter looks almost parallel sided.
Features that confirm this is a male Common Darter include the pale (not bright red) face with black above but not down the sides, yellow stripes on the side of the thorax, and (barely visible) yellow on the legs.