Male. Taken at Faringdon, Oxon., on September 6th 2017.
(1/500th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Male. Taken at Radley Lakes, Oxon., on August 22nd 2020.
(1/1600th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Female. Taken at Standlake, Oxon., on August 25th 2018.
(1/1600th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Female. Taken at Aston Upthorpe Downs, Oxon., on September 22nd 2020.
(1/640th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Pair in cop. Taken at Radley Lakes, Oxon., on August 5th 2018.
(1/200th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

Wing span: 48 - 60 mm; Body length: 35 - 44 mm

The Common Darter is the most widespread dragonfly in Britain. The thorax in both sexes is brown above with poorly defined antehumeral stripes, and has yellow panels on the sides. The eyes are brown above and yellow below. The legs are black with a diagnostic yellow stripe along their length. The males become a bright orange-red with maturity with small black spots on S8 and S9. Females have a pale, yellowish-brown abdomen, and often develop red markings along the segment boundaries and medial line as they age.

It is common and widespread throughout Britain, Ireland and most of Europe.

It can be found in a wide range of habitats, but prefers warm, stagnant waters which are often shallow and bare. It will also tolerate brackish water.

Eggs are usually laid in shallow water with the pair in tandem. The larvae live amongst mud and weed and emerge after a year. Emergence occurs over a prolonged period from June until October, and individuals can persist into December.

Individuals bask on sheltered bare ground, allowing them to be active in cool autum conditions. They dart from perches to intercept intruders or catch prey, often returning to the same spot. Mating occurs at rest.

A common and widespread species.

Sightings

22-Oct-2023	:	Standlake Common, Oxon	(1)
15-Oct-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
09-Oct-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
08-Oct-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
07-Oct-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(4)
01-Oct-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
25-Sep-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
23-Sep-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
22-Sep-2023	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(9)
15-Sep-2023	:	Radley Lakes, Oxon	(10)
14-Sep-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
13-Sep-2023	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(20+)
13-Sep-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
10-Sep-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
07-Sep-2023	:	Folly Park, Faringdon, Oxon	(10)
06-Sep-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(3)
05-Sep-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
05-Sep-2023	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(30+)
04-Sep-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
03-Sep-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(2)
02-Sep-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
26-Aug-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(2)
24-Aug-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
23-Aug-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(4)
22-Aug-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
20-Aug-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
18-Aug-2023	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(1)
16-Aug-2023	:	Whelford Pools, Glos	(26)
15-Aug-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(2)
11-Aug-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
10-Aug-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
07-Aug-2023	:	Parsonage Moor, Oxon	(27)
07-Aug-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(27)
06-Aug-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
03-Aug-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(2)
01-Aug-2023	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(18)
25-Jul-2023	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(1)
25-Jul-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
25-Jul-2023	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon	(10)
17-Jul-2023	:	Bernwood Forest, Bucks	(10)
17-Jul-2023	:	Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon	(6)
09-Jul-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
07-Jul-2023	:	Parsonage Moor, Oxon	(2)
25-Jun-2023	:	Aston, Oxon	(2)
20-Nov-2022	:	Standlake Common, Oxon	(1)
04-Nov-2022	:	Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon	(6)
28-Oct-2022	:	Tophill Low, E. Yorks	(6)
26-Oct-2022	:	Bempton Cliffs, E. Yorks	(2)
22-Oct-2022	:	Aston, Oxon	(1)
18-Oct-2022	:	Otmoor, Oxon	(6)