Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum)
Species
Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum). Male. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on September 5th 2020.
Male. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on September 5th 2020.
(1/800th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum). Male. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on June 23rd 2020.
Male. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on June 23rd 2020.
(1/320th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum). Female. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on June 13th 2022.
Female. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on June 13th 2022.
(1/800th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Ruddy Darter (Sympetrum sanguineum). Female side view. Taken at Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon., on August 11th 2020.
Female side view. Taken at Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon., on August 11th 2020.
(1/250th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Ruddy Darters (Sympetrum sanguineum). Mating wheel. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on August 8th 2019.
Mating wheel. Taken at Otmoor, Oxon., on August 8th 2019.
(1/400th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

Wing span: 46 - 61 mm; Body length: 34 - 39 mm

Mature male Ruddy Darters are easily identified by their all-black legs and slightly clubbed blood-red abdomen. The female is brownish-yellow. Both sexes have conspicuous yellow patches at the base of each hindwing, as well as black marks on S8 and 9.

It is most common in southern and eastern England, but is spreading north and westwards. It is quite widespread in Ireland. It is widespread in Europe except for most of Iberia.

It favours well-vegetated ponds, lakes, ditches and canals, often with adjacent woodland. It will tolerate acidic and brackish water.

Mating lasts a few minutes and usually occurs while perched and away from water. The large eggs are laid in vegetation or damp mud, either with the pair in tandem, or with the male in close attendance. They only hatch when covered with water. Larval development is rapid and adults usually emerge after a year. The main flight period is June and July, but individuals can persist into November.

Territories are usually established slightly back from the water's edge.

A locally common species.

Sightings

15-Sep-2023 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (13)
05-Sep-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon (25+)
16-Aug-2023 : Whelford Pools, Glos (1)
01-Aug-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon (5)
25-Jul-2023 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (3)
17-Jul-2023 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (1)
17-Jul-2023 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (5)
26-Jun-2023 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (25+)
26-Jun-2023 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (5)
23-Jun-2023 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (25+)
22-Jun-2023 : Steart Marshes, Somerset (1)
12-Jun-2023 : Otmoor, Oxon (25+)

31-Aug-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (30+)
15-Aug-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (32)
15-Aug-2022 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (2)
09-Aug-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (24)
04-Aug-2022 : Whelford Pools, Glos (3)
29-Jul-2022 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (7)
26-Jul-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (17)
22-Jul-2022 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (12m)
04-Jul-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (4)
01-Jul-2022 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (6)
13-Jun-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (8ten)

29-Sep-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
20-Sep-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (10+)
18-Sep-2021 : Cholsey Marsh, Oxon (1)
16-Sep-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (7)
05-Sep-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (4)
23-Aug-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (18)
16-Aug-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (7)
10-Aug-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (20+)
05-Aug-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (10)
02-Aug-2021 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (4)
22-Jul-2021 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (50+)
14-Jul-2021 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (10+)
14-Jul-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (10)
12-Jul-2021 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (22+)
05-Jul-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (50+)
25-Jun-2021 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (30+)
23-Jun-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (75+)
23-Jun-2021 : Waterperry Wood, Oxon (1)
15-Jun-2021 : Otmoor, Oxon (2ten)
15-Jun-2021 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (4ten)

21-Sep-2020 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (4)
17-Sep-2020 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (1)
15-Sep-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (2)
14-Sep-2020 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (2)
05-Sep-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (6)
01-Sep-2020 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (8)
26-Aug-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)