Crocothemis sanguinolenta

Crocothemis sanguinolenta is a medium sized dragonfly species of the subfamily Sympetrinae. It was described in 1839 by Burmeister as Libellula sanguinolenta. The species occurs in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Features

Crocothemis sanguinolenta reaches a body length of 35-37 millimeters. The males are reddish, the females are more likely to yellowish. With age, the females darken. The abdomen ( tummy) looks crowded, but is not very wide and has a blurry blackish line on the top. The Synthorax is dark purple to brownish red. On the shoulder there are brighter and dark lines. The face is reddish, with the labrum and the Anteclypeus are tinged slightly orange. The Postclypeus is red, just like the front of the forehead. On the top of the forehead of the red tone is dull and takes the color of the vertex to. The compound eyes are dull purple and have at the back of a blue line. The hind wings measure 27-28 millimeters. In the males, can be found at the base of both pairs of wings, a scarlet red to amber spot, which is more pronounced on the hind wings. In females, the color of this Basalflecken is weaker and they are smaller. Otherwise, the wings are transparent. The Flügelmal ( pterostigma ) is yellowish to reddish brown and measures about three millimeters.

Habitat and method

The species lives both flowing as well as on stationary, rocky waters in otherwise open terrain. On prey lurking here mostly on stones and rarely on vegetation.