Red-veined darter

Sympetrum fonscolombii

A smaller but robust dragonfly with a body length of 33-40 mm and a hindwing length of 26-31 mm, the males are red while females an ochreous yellow, the blue-grey underside of the eye, the large orange patch at the base of the hindwing, and the veins adjacent to the wing base being either red (in males) or yellow (in females) are diagnostic features. This dragonfly lives in a wide range of habitats, in sunny standing or slow-flowing water such as rivers, ponds, lakes, and marshes. The red-veined flies throughout the year, spending much time perched on the water’s edge, and is migratory.

Photographs

male