This striking, bright crimson-red dragonfly has a more limited distribution than the Common Darter, but has been expanding its range in Sussex and elsewhere in the country. The male has a red-brown thorax and a bright, blood-red, ‘waisted’ abdomen with two black marks on segments 8 and 9. The female is dull yellow-brown overall with thin black lines along the sides of the abdomen. It has all-black legs unlike the Common Darter.
National status
Most common in south-east England but extending its range.
Status in Sussex
Locally common across Sussex, but not nearly as widespread as the Common Darter. Concentrations of records occur on Pevensey Levels and Romney Marshes though with less records from the former and more from the latter in the two decades up to 2020. Listed in the Sussex Rare Species Inventory.
Distribution at 1km scale
Historical records
According to Dannreuther (1945) it was first recorded at Kingston near Lewes by Unwin in 1849. He also suggested that the species could die out if not reinforced by migration. Chelmick (1979) considered the species to have been more common in East Sussex than in West both historically and at the time of the 1965-1978 survey. He also noted that it “is one of the very few species to be found more abundantly on the Weald Clay and other neutral waters”. The survey for The Dragonflies of Sussex (2004) indicated a wider range, in particular across the High Weald and on the Coastal Plain; this range appears to have been maintained.
Flight times
Mid June - mid October.
Phenology (adult)
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Ruddy Darter habitat in an Ouse Valley ditch near Rodmell Photo: Simon Linington
Conservation
Excessive plant clearance and dredging of ponds could be disastrous for this dragonfly, whose larvae spend their lives amongst the roots of aquatic vegetation. The strong populations in our grazing meadow ditch systems point to the continued need for sympathetic farming methods in these areas.
Similar species
See Common Darter for a discussion of identification features of possible confusion darter species (and a photographic comparison).
This striking, bright crimson-red dragonfly has a more limited distribution than the Common Darter, but has been expanding its range in Sussex and elsewhere in the country. The male has a red-brown thorax and a bright, blood-red, ‘waisted’ abdomen with two black marks on segments 8 and 9. The female is dull yellow-brown overall with thin black lines along the sides of the abdomen. It has all-black legs unlike the Common Darter.
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immature male Photo: David Sadler
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young male Photo: Simon Linington
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female Photo: Simon Linington
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female Photo: Simon Linington
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female Photo: Simon Linington
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male Photo: David Sadler
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male Photo: David Sadler
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male Photo: Simon Linington
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male Photo: Simon Linington
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male Photo: Simon Linington
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mating Photo: David Sadler
National status
Most common in south-east England but extending its range.
Status in Sussex
Locally common across Sussex, but not nearly as widespread as the Common Darter. Concentrations of records occur on Pevensey Levels and Romney Marshes though with less records from the former and more from the latter in the two decades up to 2020. Listed in the Sussex Rare Species Inventory.
Distribution at 1km scale
Historical records
According to Dannreuther (1945) it was first recorded at Kingston near Lewes by Unwin in 1849. He also suggested that the species could die out if not reinforced by migration. Chelmick (1979) considered the species to have been more common in East Sussex than in West both historically and at the time of the 1965-1978 survey. He also noted that it “is one of the very few species to be found more abundantly on the Weald Clay and other neutral waters”. The survey for The Dragonflies of Sussex (2004) indicated a wider range, in particular across the High Weald and on the Coastal Plain; this range appears to have been maintained.
Flight times
Mid June - mid October.
Phenology (adult)
1 / 1
Ruddy Darter habitat in an Ouse Valley ditch near Rodmell Photo: Simon Linington
Conservation
Excessive plant clearance and dredging of ponds could be disastrous for this dragonfly, whose larvae spend their lives amongst the roots of aquatic vegetation. The strong populations in our grazing meadow ditch systems point to the continued need for sympathetic farming methods in these areas.
Similar species
See Common Darter for a discussion of identification features of possible confusion darter species (and a photographic comparison).
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