David Element

Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images

________________________________________________Dragonflies and Damselflies 66 – Red-veined Darter Dragonflies

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

RED-VEINED DARTER DRAGONFLY Sympetrum fonscolombii (m)

• The Red-veined Darter Dragonfly Sympetrum fonscolombii is a migrant species to the UK with some evidence of successful breeding having been recorded. However, it cannot be considered as having become properly established. Sometimes these dragonflies will spread far inland, as had happened in 1996, and with increasing frequency ever since, as the weather has become warmer in response to anthropogenic climate change. These photographs were taken a site in London during a particularly strong immigration during the summer of 2025, during which males were present there in low double figures (a site record), and an unknown, smaller number of females was also recorded, with observations of pairing (flights in-tandem) and probable oviposition. Unusually for a European dragonfly, this is a species capable of producing a second generation within months if climatic conditions are favourable. After some years of suspected sporadic breeding there is now substantiated evidence that this insect has bred in Britain, albeit at a few select sites. Although this species is similar in appearance to other red darters, close examination will reveal the characteristically red (or yellow) venation and a blueish tint to the underside of the compound eyes. The flight is strong and usually some way away from the edge of the favoured lake or gravel pit. When this species does settle it seems to favour gravel paths (in strong sunshine) or emergent vegetation (in weaker sunshine or cloudy, warm conditions. Some of the photographs illustrate the dragonflies adopting the thermoregulatory ‘obelisk’ position with their abdomens raised in order to minimise direct exposure to hot sunshine.

• A short film of male Red-veined Darter Dragonflies ‘in action’ (as they generally do very little when being filmed!) may be seen at: https://youtu.be/X81W-J9tahY.

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