Scarlet Darter Dragonfly Crocothemis erythraea

Scarlet Darter Dragonfly male
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly male
As its name indicates the Scarlet Darter Dragonfly adult male (above) is bright scarlet. Not a typical darter shape, it has a wide, flattened body.
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly female
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly female
The female Scarlet Darter Dragonfly (above) is brown, with a distinctive white stripe along the centre of her thorax. The white stripe darkens with age, but the black stripe on the abdomen remains.
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly male face
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly male face
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly male
A territorially aggressive dragonfly to its own kind, the adult male (above) is not shy and this one may even see its reflection in the close camera lens.
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly male
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly male
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly male
The Scarlet Darter male often assumes a posture with forward lowered wings like the Dropwing dragonflies. It is a recent and rare migrant to the UK from southern Europe.
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly male He has orange-brown "sweat marks under his arms".
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly male
Scarlet Darter Dragonflies coupled Scarlet Darters coupled.
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly female The white on the thorax faded and body darkened with age.
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly female Lighter body and white line on thorax.
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly female She has pretty mauve and blue eyes.
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly female
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly female
Scarlet Darter Dragonfly female