Violet dropwing
Males of this dragonfly are almost entirely violet-pink with jet black legs, a color combination among the most striking of any dragonfly found in Europe.
| Where | Still and slow-moving fresh water |
|---|---|
| Size | 60 to 70 mm wingspan |
| When | June to October |
The violet dropwing is a medium-sized dragonfly. Mature males are pinkish-violet with red-tinted wing veins, an amber patch at the base of each wing, and black legs, while females are yellowish brown with black markings near the tip of the abdomen.
It perches prominently on reeds, twigs and stones beside still or slow-moving water, dropping its wings forward immediately after landing, and males defend territories along the water's edge.
Traits
Habitat
Wetland
Colour
Red, Black, Brown
Active
Day
To people
Harmless to people; it neither bites nor stings and simply perches near water.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Both are bright, reddish dragonflies often confused in the field, but the broad scarlet has yellow legs, while the violet dropwing's legs are entirely black.
Questions
Is the Violet dropwing dangerous to people?
Harmless to people; it neither bites nor stings and simply perches near water.
When can you see the Violet dropwing?
The Violet dropwing can be seen from June to October, by day.
Plate retouched from a photo by Matteo Bellucci, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist Licence
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Dragonflies and damselflies›Skimmers›Trithemis
Last updated 2026-09-26. Every entry is checked against published sources.