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Ruddy Darter side view In the process of trying to identify this Darter, which is the most common one in the Netherlands, I learned a few characteristics that separates them:<br />
<br />
1) Whether their eyes meet at the top or not<br />
2) Cell structure of their wings<br />
3) Spots and discolorations on their wings<br />
4) Color of their face<br />
5) Width of their abdomen<br />
6) Color of legs and/or any patterns on it<br />
<br />
I&#039;m sure there&#039;s more attributes, but the key learning for me is that if you spot one, try to photograph it from multiple angles to ease identification.  Heesch,Macro,Ruddy Darter,Sympetrum sanguineum Click/tap to enlarge

Ruddy Darter side view

In the process of trying to identify this Darter, which is the most common one in the Netherlands, I learned a few characteristics that separates them:

1) Whether their eyes meet at the top or not
2) Cell structure of their wings
3) Spots and discolorations on their wings
4) Color of their face
5) Width of their abdomen
6) Color of legs and/or any patterns on it

I'm sure there's more attributes, but the key learning for me is that if you spot one, try to photograph it from multiple angles to ease identification.

    comments (2)

  1. Tell me about it, I have photographed a few red ones and now I am struggling with the identification. It seems that the Ruddy Darter is the easier to identify because of the all black feet. Here are the other red ones.
    http://photosinsectes.free.fr/odo/anisopt-d.htm
    I found a few keys in French.
    http://odonatas69.unblog.fr/cles-didentification-des-odonates/
    http://environnement.wallonie.be/ong/gomphus/clef/homeclef.html
    Some Dutch lists
    http://www.dutchdragonflies.eu/index.html
    http://users.telenet.be/libdam2/LIBDAM_soorten.html
    Posted 12 years ago
    1. Great links. I'd like to add this one:

      http://www.libellennet.nl/foto_libelsoorten.php?id=11

      In the bottom of that page is a few red ones as well, looking superficially similar.
      Posted 12 years ago

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The Ruddy Darter is a European species of dragonfly of the family Libellulidae.

Similar species: Dragonflies And Damselflies
Species identified by Ferdy Christant
View Ferdy Christant's profile

By Ferdy Christant

All rights reserved
Uploaded Aug 14, 2013. Captured Aug 3, 2013 17:00.
  • NIKON D800
  • f/4.0
  • 1/250s
  • ISO100
  • 105mm