Ruddy Darter

Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum ) mature, be colored males

The Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum ) is a dragonfly of the family sailing Dragonflies ( Libellulidae ). These are among the dragonflies ( Anisoptera ). It is a medium-sized dragonfly with a wingspan of up to six centimeters.

Features

The species attains a wingspan of five to six centimeters. The head, the thorax ( chest ) and abdomen (abdomen) are strikingly red in the male, rather brownish- yellow-red colored in the female with black markings, with just in this species as well as red-colored females are not rare. The legs are entirely black and have the upper hand, no yellow or reddish color as the otherwise very similar species Large Darter ( Sympetrum striolatum ) and Common Darter ( Sympetrum vulgatum ). As with the latter, the abdomen of the male in the back third is also in the Crimson Darter widened (but not flattened as in the swamp darter ). The hind wings of Sympetrum sanguineum are slightly yellowish at the base - but not as extensive as in the spotted darter.

Way of life

Imagines the Crimson Darter can be found in the months of July to November small standing water bodies of all kinds.

The mating and oviposition occur in flight, where the animals fly in tandem position over the water near the shore between water plants or on moist soil. The females roam their eggs by rocking movements of the abdomen at the water surface. The male separates relatively soon by the female and monitors the other egg-laying Rüttelflug, where there are other males approaching chased away. Frequently, however, it loses sight of the female laying on eggs.

The larvae hatch in the year after oviposition. They prefer the area on the body of water or between water plants and are often fraught with soil substrate. Your aquatile development lasts for one year; then follows the metamorphosis of the finished dragonfly.