Common darter
It returns to the same perch again and again, darting out to snatch a fly and settling back in the same spot.
| Where | Ponds, lakes, ditches, and gardens far from water |
|---|---|
| Size | 35 to 44 mm long |
| When | June to November |
Only the mature male turns red. Females and young males are yellow-brown.
It is one of the last dragonflies of the year, often still flying on sunny days in November.
Traits
Habitat
Water
Colour
Red, Brown
Active
Day
To people
Harmless; cannot sting
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Blood-red with a waisted abdomen and all-black legs; the common darter's legs have a yellow stripe.
Questions
Is the Common darter dangerous to people?
Harmless; cannot sting.
When can you see the Common darter?
The Common darter can be seen from June to November, by day.
Plate retouched from a museum specimen photo by Mati Marits, University of Tartu, Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden, CC BY 4.0, GBIF Licence
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Dragonflies and damselflies›Skimmers›Sympetrum
Last updated 2026-09-26. Every entry is checked against published sources.