The Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) is a dragonfly of the family Libellulidae native to Eurasia. It is one of the most common dragonflies in Europe, occurring in a wide variety of water bodies, though with a preference for breeding in still water such as ponds and lakes. Adults are on the wing from June until November - occasionally into December.

Behaviour

This small red Dragonfly is seen in a wide variety of habitats, including lakes, ponds, canals and slow-flowing rivers. They will often repeatedly return to a sunny spot and chase competitors away, even attempting to chase much bigger Dragonflies away such as Southern Hawkers. This habit allows you to easily predict where it is going to land, and enables you to observe it. They are sometimes quite inquisitive and may land on an observers hand. they reproduce in air.

See also

• List of British dragonflies