David Element's Wildlife Web Page Dragonflies and Damselflies 14

David Element

Wildlife Photography

and Digital Video Images

____________ Dragonflies and Damselflies 14 - _________________________ Ruddy Darters 1

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 south east 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, so beginners would be well advised to consult some of the listed references on Dragonflies and Damselflies 1 for further information about identification characteristics. 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 in order 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.