David
Element
Wildlife
Photography
and Digital
Video Images
____________
Dragonflies and Damselflies 14 - _________________________ Ruddy
Darters 1

RUDDY DARTER Sympetrum
sanguineum (m)

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 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.
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and Damselflies 15
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and Damselflies 22
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and Damselflies 24
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and Damselflies 25
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Common Names
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Element.