Sympetrum nigrescens - Highland Darter
Male
Female
Description
Length: 38-43mm
Darker than the very similar Common Darter, the status of this dragonfly as a separate species is not certain.
The thorax has bolder black markings and the stripe on the legs is less obvious.
The males become a dark orange-red with maturity with black spots on S8 and S9.
Females have a dull, yellowish-brown abdomen often developing red markings along the segment boundaries and medial line as they age.
Habitat
Occurs in light woodland, moorland and coastal dunes close to pools and lochans in which it breeds.
Status and Distribution
Restricted to north-west Scotland and western Ireland. May be a melanic form of S. striolatum.
Distribution map from the National Biodiversity Network Gateway (opens in new window).
Similar species
The various resident and migrant species of Darter in the UK are easily confused, the females being particularly difficult to tell apart.
This species and Common Darter intergrade in colour and can be extremely difficult to distinguish without microscopic examination of the genitalia.