Dragonflies,- Ruddy Darter, 24082023, 01 f

Ruddy Darter, (Sympertrum sanguineum),

 

The male is readily identified by its very bright red adbomen, strongly constricted near the front and bearing prominent black marks on segments 8 and 9. The female has a yellowish and resembles the female Common Darter, but differs in having completely black legs and a yellow patch at the base of the hindwing. It breeds in well-vegetated ponds; flies June-September. Many of the insects seen in the British Isles are probably immigrants from the continent,.

 

Order, - Odonata,

Family,- Libellulidae,

Species in Family, - 1,250,

Size, - 4 - 8 cm ( wingspan ),

Feeding, - Nymphs and adults; predators,

Impact, - Harmless,

 

Dragonflie, Order,- Odonata,

Suborder Anisoptera

This group contains the true dragonflies, which are gre generally larger and stouter than the damselflies and in which the hindwing is noticeably broader than the forewing, forewing, The insects always rest with their wings outspread, The eyes of most species meet in the middle of the head, The insects have two mainmethods of hunting, hawkers stay on the wing for long periods and may patrol a stretch of river or hedgerow all day, while darters remain perched for much of the time and merely fly out to snatch passing prey, There are 23 resident British species, and a few more occasional visitors from the continent,

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