Red-veined Darter

I hope I have the species correct!

comments (10)

Claire Hamilton

Lion

I was out looking for eagles, but found this! Posted 12 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Fantastic species intro, Claire! Posted 12 years ago
2. WildFlower
  
  Lion
  
  I also went chasing some big white birds, but came back with these guys instead
  
  I think this one is the same species - Red-veined darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) Posted 12 years ago
3. 1. Claire Hamilton
    
    Lion
    
    I know absolutely nothing about insects and bugs and things, but I think these two are different inasmuch as the Dropwing holds its wings down when resting (hence the name) and the Darter holds them up. Could be wrong but thank goodness for these little guys who keep us interested when the birds don't show!! Posted 12 years ago
  2. 1. WildFlower
      
      Lion
      
      I am not much of an expert either, but I have compared a few photos and found some differences.
      http://www.africa-dragonfly.net/globalResults.php?Species=2750
      The position of the wings is different - either up or down. I guess it depends on how long they have been resting.
      The other features are crimson eyes, purple thorax, black legs and pterostigmata.
      http://www.arkive.org/red-veined-dropwing/trithemis-arteriosa/
      A male Sympetrum fonscolombii has bluish lower half to the eyes, pale straw coloured pterostigmata and the black legs with a narrow yellow stripe. Posted 12 years ago
    2. 1. Claire Hamilton
        
        Lion
        
        Ah ha! now I can see you are absolutely right, this is a darter as it has the blue under the eyes etc. Thanks for that, I shall change the species accordingly! I knew you would come to the rescue!
        But now I have to go and find a dropwing to bring the specie introduction back!!! Posted 12 years ago, modified 12 years ago
      2. WildFlower
        
        Lion
        
        Good idea! I call them ghost species - the information is still there, but it is no longer associated with a photo. Posted 12 years ago

Graeme Ruck

Lion

stunning
Posted 12 years ago

Ludo Sak

Lion

Wow, Claire, the sharpness is amazing, with colours to match. Jealous of this one, concratulations! I love the harsh red colour on that fading background. Crisp, well shot! Posted 12 years ago
1. Claire Hamilton
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Ludo, I have to say I was pretty pleased with this one considering it was hand held with a 400mm lens! Posted 12 years ago

The Red-veined darter

The Red-veined darter or Nomad is a dragonfly of the genus "Sympetrum". It is a common species in southern Europe and from the 1990s onwards has increasingly been found in northwest Europe, including Britain and Ireland.

Info 51 1

Similar species: Dragonflies And Damselflies

Species identified by Claire Hamilton

By Claire Hamilton

Uploaded Aug 26, 2013. Captured Aug 26, 2013 15:27 in N2, South Africa.

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Canon EOS 7D
f/6.3
1/664s
ISO200
400mm

Captured in the winter. More winter photos.