David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images
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Dragonflies and Damselflies 14 - Ruddy Darters
RUDDY DARTER Sympetrum sanguineum (m)
RUDDY DARTER Sympetrum sanguineum (m)
RUDDY DARTER Sympetrum sanguineum (m)
- The adult male Ruddy Darter is
the only small, blood-red dragonfly in Britain with a club-shaped abdomen
and entirely black legs. Formerly a notable and rather uncommon species
with strongholds in the southeast of England and central Ireland, this
insect is now spreading its range and establishing breeding populations in
areas where it had previously been absent. These insects may be locally
abundant at favoured sites. These include slow moving rivers or well
vegetated lakes, often with a lush growth of Great Reedmace (Bulrush) Typha latifolia.
The numbers may be boosted by migrations from Europe. Dragonfly colours
alter with maturity. Female and immature Ruddy Darters are yellow,
although the sexes may be distinguished by abdominal shape as the clubbing
is absent in the female. The males gradually redden as they mature whereas
the females develop a rather nondescript brown colouration. There are
several similar Sympetrum
species, particularly in Continental Europe. Ruddy Darters are amongst the
easiest of dragonflies to photograph as they rarely fly far if disturbed
and frequently return to the same perch, often favouring vegetation a
short distance from water. These photographs illustrate some of the
different roosting positions and thermoregulatory postures adopted by this
active little dragonfly. The angles of the wings and abdomen are adjusted
to increase or reduce direct exposure to the Sun's rays at different times
of the day. The last position is normally only adopted during very hot
weather.
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