Common darter (F)(Sympetrum striolatum)Explored)
males
The abdomen is orange-red (often appearing washed-out) and only slightly waisted with black mid dorsal lines on segments 8-9. The thorax is brown on top with 2 poorly defined pale antehumeral stripes. The thorax sides are red with 2 thick yellow stripes. The eyes are brown and the legs are black with a clear yellow stripe . The frons area does not have a black line extending down the sides. The wings are clear apart from a small area of yellow at the base and the pterostigma are yellow or red brown. Immature males are yellow.
female
The abdomen is yellow-brown and has parallel sides with black mid-dorsal lines on segments 8-9. The top of the thorax is brown with poorly defined antehumeral stripes and 2 yellow stripes on the sides. The vulvar scale can be seen projecting from underside of segment 9. As with males, the frons area does not have a black line extending down the sides. Immature females are yellow and ageing females become dull in colour.
Common darter (F)(Sympetrum striolatum)Explored)
males
The abdomen is orange-red (often appearing washed-out) and only slightly waisted with black mid dorsal lines on segments 8-9. The thorax is brown on top with 2 poorly defined pale antehumeral stripes. The thorax sides are red with 2 thick yellow stripes. The eyes are brown and the legs are black with a clear yellow stripe . The frons area does not have a black line extending down the sides. The wings are clear apart from a small area of yellow at the base and the pterostigma are yellow or red brown. Immature males are yellow.
female
The abdomen is yellow-brown and has parallel sides with black mid-dorsal lines on segments 8-9. The top of the thorax is brown with poorly defined antehumeral stripes and 2 yellow stripes on the sides. The vulvar scale can be seen projecting from underside of segment 9. As with males, the frons area does not have a black line extending down the sides. Immature females are yellow and ageing females become dull in colour.