Common Darter

Sympetrum striolatum

The Common Darter is a friendly little dragonfly that flits around ponds and streams. They have bright yellow and black markings that make them easy to spot!

Habitat: Wetlands, ponds, and streams

Appearance

The Common Darter is a small, broad-bodied dragonfly, typically fiery red-orange in males and yellowish-brown in females. It has clear wings with a distinct small yellow-orange patch near the tip and dark markings along its legs. These colours make it stand out against green vegetation.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyLibellulidaeGenusSympetrum

Common Darter

Interesting facts

Male darters often perform a special “mating wheel” in the air with a female.

Sometimes, they migrate long distances across countries in large groups.

Their babies live underwater for up to two years before becoming flying adults!

They shed their entire skin multiple times as they grow from a nymph to an adult.

Special abilities

Common Darter can fly forwards, backwards, and hover perfectly because of its four independently-moving wings.

Common Darter has huge compound eyes that help them spot tiny insect prey from far away.

Common Darter can dart from a perch to snatch unsuspecting insects right out of the air.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 50-70 mm
Size: 35-45 mm
Lifespan: 30-60 days
Flight Speed: 20 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

This swift insect hunter loves to feast on other smaller flying insects near water.

Age differences: Larvae (nymphs) are also predatory, hunting aquatic invertebrates like water fleas and small insect larvae.

Primary Foods

Mosquitoes
Midges
Flies
Gnats
Small butterflies

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

eaten by

Blackbird

Turdus merula

Blackbirds prey on adult darters for food.

eaten by

Common Frog

Rana temporaria

Frogs feast on both adult darters and their aquatic nymphs.

hunts

Common House Mosquito

Culex pipiens

Adult darters are expert hunters of flying mosquitoes.

hunts

Water Flea

Daphnia pulex

Young darter nymphs hunt tiny water fleas in ponds.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Aerial

Discover amazing creatures that spend much of their lives soaring high above the ground, often using wings to fly! They might hunt, travel, or even sleep up in the sky.

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Insectivorous

Discover clever creatures that specialize in munching on insects, playing a super important role in keeping bug populations in check. They are nature's tiny bug vacuums!

Wetland

These fascinating areas are covered by water for at least part of the year, creating a perfect home for unique plants and animals, like marshes and swamps.