Black Darter

Black Darter ( Sympetrum danae ) ♂

The Black Darter ( Sympetrum danae ) is within the dragonflies to the sailing Dragonflies ( Libellulidae ) and is classified in the genus of darters (Sympetrum ).

Features

The Black Darter reaches a body length of an average of three centimeters with a wingspan of 4.5 to 5.5 centimeters. The abdomen of the male is jet black, the brown- gray females with conspicuous black markings. Be found on the chest of both males and females laterally deep yellow spots, isolated can also yellow spots on the black abdomen of the males emerge. Juveniles act yellowish and are thus similar to other darters, can be distinguished from these, however, by dark spots on the chest (thorax).

Way of life

The flight time of the Black Darter is in the July-September, sometimes until early November. The animals often were sitting on sun-exposed areas on stones, pieces of wood, or simply on the floor and sunbathe.

Habitat

One finds this sort of marshy lake shores, ponds and bogs up to an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. The Black Darter is different commonly found in Europe, Asia and North America, but there is not in the warm south, but rather in the mountains.

Reproduction

At oviposition, the partners are connected and form as with all darters a tandem. After laying their eggs overwinter the eggs and larvae hatch until the following spring. You are almost always at the water surface, especially in the near-shore shallow water, and evolve in the same year for the dragonfly.