Julian Cartwright has been enjoying a nice selection of species at Preston Montford FSC including this male Ruddy Darter (left). We can clearly see the ruddy frons and general deep red coloration explaining the species name Sympetrum sanguineum! The legs are solid black in colour and if you look at the top of the thorax an inverted black T is visible. In contrast the Common Darter has a yellow stripe running down the legs and antehumeral stripes visible on the thorax.
Another darter out and about in increasing numbers is the Black Darter- photographed (below left) by Jan Shields at The Bog. An immature male is shown here with a diagnostic black triangle on top of the thorax similar to that seen in the female.
