David Element
Wildlife Photography and Digital
Video Images
______________________________________________________Dragonflies
and Damselflies 59 – Vagrant Darters
VAGRANT
OR MOUSTACHED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum vulgatum
(m)
VAGRANT
OR MOUSTACHED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum vulgatum
(m)
VAGRANT
OR MOUSTACHED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum vulgatum
(m)
VAGRANT
OR MOUSTACHED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum vulgatum
(m)
VAGRANT
OR MOUSTACHED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum vulgatum
(m)
VAGRANT OR MOUSTACHED DARTER
DRAGONFLY Sympetrum vulgatum (m)
·
The
teneral (freshly emerged) and slightly bedraggled male Vagrant or Moustached
Darter Dragonfly Sympetrum vulgatum
illustrated above, photographed in the Vendée, France, and therefore close to the western
limit of the species’ range, still
retained some remnants of its exuvial case attached to the rear of his compound
eyes, although it is doubtful that these would have interfered with his vision,
or indeed his performance when in flight. “Vagrant” only applies to the British
Isles! Characteristic black moustachial markings extending below the antennae and
along the inner margins of the eyes distinguish this species from the other European
members of the Sympetrum genus, and they are clearly visible in the
photographs, as are the longitudinal pale stripes on the legs, and the
relatively indistinct black markings on the thorax, all of which are useful
field characteristics. The colours would have darkened with age.
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