i.d. confirmation/help with some Dragonflies please..

davemangham · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 07:49 PM

I went searching for Adders today, hoping to find a heavily gravid female willing to pose for a few shots, but struck out completely. Instead, I managed a few shots of Dragonflies, and would appreciate it if someone could either confirm or refute my i.d.'s, and maybe help with an i.d. on my final picture...

No 1 I have as a Black Darter, am I right?

Nos 2 & 3 I both have as Common Darters. No 3 I'm virtually certain about, but could No2 be either an old or immature individual?

No 4, unfortunately has me completely stumped. I've never seen a Dragonfly in this country that displayed such a vibrant blue colouration. It was much brighter than a standard Banded Demoiselle, but approximately the same size. Help!

Thanks in anticipation...

Ollie · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010, 08:58 PM

I would say you are correct with the first three. 1 Black Darter female I think. 2 Common Darter female 3 Common Darter. No idea on the last one it's got me stumped as well.

GuyF · #3 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010, 11:16 AM

I'd agree with Ollie on 1,2 and 3 - they're all mature females and the 4th is a mature male Black Darter.
Guy

davemangham · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2010, 12:07 PM

Thanks both Ollie & Guy.

I'd just come to the same conclusion myself regarding No 4.

In another picture, taken from a slightly different angle, I believe I'm just able to make out the black (or in this case, blue) band on the side of the thorax containing 3 spots!

Damn! I thought I'd found a new species, Sympetrum manghamii.