Vagrant Darter

Common Darter ( Sympetrum vulgatum ), male

The Common Darter ( Sympetrum vulgatum ) is a dragonfly of the family sailing Dragonflies ( Libellulidae ). These are a family of dragonflies ( Anisoptera ). It is a medium-sized dragonfly with a wingspan of 5 to a maximum of 6.5 centimeters.

Features

The head, the thorax ( chest ) and abdomen (abdomen ) of the animals in the male are red, more brown - yellow-red colored in the female with black markings. A very similar species is the Great Darter, the thorax also bears two lighter side stripes. Furthermore, wearing the head a black forehead drawing that ends at the Great Darter on the eyes, while a piece runs in the Commons Darter far to the eyes shut. The third distinguishing feature of the males of Commons Darter have a considerably broader towards the end abdomen. The legs are black and have the upper hand, a yellow color, which in also similar Crimson Darter ( Sympetrum sanguineum ) is not available.

Newly hatched darters whose cuticle is not yet completely cured, are light brown, but can already be airworthy.

A subspecies of Commons Darter is described from northern Spain as Sympetrum vulgatum ibericum whose total coloring is a whole lot brighter.

Way of life

The Common Darter is found in the months of July to November stagnant waters of all kinds, including ponds and garden ponds.

The males are often located just off of the water. Mating is usually sitting (see picture) place near the shore.

The animals can thereby also fly. Egg-laying is always in flight, with the male, the female head holds (see picture). The rear flying females roam their eggs then off by rocking movements of the abdomen at the water surface.

Larval development

The larvae hatch in the year after oviposition. They prefer the area on the body of water or between water plants and are often covered by a lot of substrate. Their development takes a year, then appear the adult dragonflies.