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Post by clb100 on Oct 1, 2015 8:18:54 GMT
I think this is an immature male Common Darter. I would appreciate confirmation or correction.  |
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Post by ayjay on Oct 1, 2015 8:34:54 GMT
I think it's a mature (very) female, I can't make out any yellow stripes on the legs and I can't see the frons clearly so I couldn't rule out Ruddy from those pics. Immature male would look more like this.  |
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Post by clb100 on Oct 1, 2015 9:05:20 GMT
Thanks for the quick response. I had discounted Ruddy Darter as I can't see a waisted abdomen which I thought was characteristic (but only of the male?). The third image in this link shropshirebirder.co.uk/xxcommondarter.html looks similar to mine so is it mis-identified as a male? |
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Post by ayjay on Oct 1, 2015 11:38:56 GMT
Male Common Darter does have a slightly waisted abdomen, it's more pronounced in Ruddy Darter. The simplest way to determine male or female (usually) is from the anal appendages, your pic is clearly female. Male and female Common Darter shown below, male is left and female right. (pics will enlarge for a clearer view) Attachment Deleted |
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Post by clb100 on Oct 1, 2015 12:04:31 GMT
Thanks for the info.
I had a look aty my original images and I think I can make out lighter yellowish bands on the legs.
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Post by ayjay on Oct 1, 2015 15:10:25 GMT
Thanks for the info. I had a look aty my original images and I think I can make out lighter yellowish bands on the legs. That definitely makes it a Common Darter then. If you're looking for an ID guide:- The Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of Great Britain and Ireland by Brooks and Lewington is a nice starter, ISBN-0953139905 |
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Post by pdwinter on Oct 1, 2015 18:28:30 GMT
Thanks for the quick response. I had discounted Ruddy Darter as I can't see a waisted abdomen which I thought was characteristic (but only of the male?). The third image in this link shropshirebirder.co.uk/xxcommondarter.html looks similar to mine so is it mis-identified as a male? That one is a male but the telephoto lens has made it look chunky like a female - the appendages at the end of the abdomen are male.
One rainy day I made some web pages on darter ID Common vs Ruddy Darter - it's not perfect but it has some composite pictures that might be useful.
Paul
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