Invertebrates
Common Darter
Sympetrum striolatum
On a warm October afternoon, when summer’s other dragonflies are long gone, a common darter basks on a sunlit fence post and darts out to catch a passing fly.
Overview
The common darter, Sympetrum striolatum, is a Least Concern dragonfly of ponds, ditches, and gardens across Europe, North Africa, and parts of western Asia. Its red-orange males, darting hunting style, and long flight season make it one of the most familiar dragonflies of late summer and autumn.
A dragonfly that waits and darts
Instead of patrolling, the common darter waits on a perch, then flicks out to snatch an insect and returns, saving energy on cool days.
Status
Least Concern, widespread and common.
Common Darter: common questions
Why is it called the darter?
It darts out from a perch to catch prey and then returns to the same spot, a habit common to the darters.
What colour is a male common darter?
A mature male has an orange-red abdomen, while the female and young are yellow-brown.
Is the common darter a fish?
No, it is a dragonfly, and the name is shared with the unrelated darter fish of North American streams.
Where is the common darter found?
It lives around ponds, ditches, and gardens across Europe, North Africa, and parts of western Asia.