Head to head
Common Darter vs Black-tailed Skimmer
Common Darter
VS Black-tailed Skimmer
The common darter and black-tailed skimmer are two sun-loving dragonflies of European ponds that both rest on bare ground, but the males look very different.
| Common Darter | Black-tailed Skimmer | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Sympetrum striolatum | Orthetrum cancellatum |
| Male colour | An orange-red abdomen when mature | A pale blue, powder-coated abdomen ending in a black tip |
| Female colour | Yellow-brown, like the young | Yellow-brown with black markings along the abdomen |
| Resting | Perches on bare ground, stones, posts, fences, and walls, basking in the sun | Rests with its wings spread flat on bare ground, paths, and stones |
| Egg-laying | Pairs fly in tandem over shallow water, and the female drops her eggs into it | The female dips the tip of her abdomen into the water as she flies over it |
| Behaviour | Waits on a perch, then darts out to catch prey and returns to the same spot | Males defend a patch of shoreline and chase off rivals and other dragonflies |
| Habitat and range | Ponds, ditches, and gardens across Europe, North Africa, and parts of western Asia | Ponds, gravel pits, and slow rivers across Europe, North Africa, and western Asia |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, with a stable population | Least Concern, and spreading northward in parts of Britain |
Common Darter vs Black-tailed Skimmer: common questions
Which dragonfly flies into November?
The common darter, which flies from early summer until November and is often one of the last dragonflies to be seen in autumn.
Why is it called the black-tailed skimmer?
It is named for the black tip at the end of the male's pale blue abdomen.
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.