Here’s a detailed overview of the Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii), a colorful and wide-ranging dragonfly known for its adaptability and long-distance migrations:

**Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii)**

Taxonomy & Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Suborder: Anisoptera (True dragonflies)
Family: Libellulidae (Skimmers)
Genus: Sympetrum
Species: S. fonscolombii
Common names: Red-veined Darter, Nomad Darter, Red-veined Skimmer

General Description

Size: 34–45 mm in length; wingspan about 60–70 mm.
Appearance:
- Males: Bright red abdomen and face; thorax brownish with red tones; red veins on wings (especially near leading edges).
- Females: Yellow-brown body with orange to reddish veins and pale yellow abdomen with thin black lines.
- Eyes: Bicolored—blue-grey below and brown-red above, a key identifying feature.
- Wings: Clear with amber at the wing base and a pale yellowish pterostigma bordered by black.
Distinguishing traits: The red wing veins and blue-tinted lower eyes clearly separate it from other Sympetrum species.

Behavior & Lifestyle

Flight period: April to October (longer in southern Europe and tropics).
Activity: Strong flier, often perching conspicuously on twigs or stones near water.
Habits:
- Frequently seen basking in sunny, open habitats.
- Males aggressively defend small territories along shorelines or ponds.
Migration: One of the few truly migratory dragonflies in Europe—regularly colonizes northern regions in summer, even reaching Scandinavia and the British Isles.

Diet

Adults: Feed on small flying insects—midges, mosquitoes, flies, and other soft-bodied prey caught in mid-air.
Larvae (nymphs): Aquatic predators eating mosquito larvae, tadpoles, and small aquatic invertebrates.

Life Cycle

Reproduction:
- Mating occurs in tandem flight over water.
- Eggs are released while the pair is in flight—females dip abdomen to scatter eggs on the water surface or floating vegetation.
Development:
- Larvae develop quickly in warm conditions, often completing metamorphosis in a few months.
- In cooler climates, eggs overwinter and hatch the following spring.
Adults: Typically live for several weeks.

Habitat

Occupies shallow, still, or slow-flowing waters—lakes, ponds, ditches, and marshes, often with sparse vegetation.
Prefers warm, sunny, and open landscapes such as coastal lagoons, floodplains, and steppe ponds.
Tolerates brackish and temporary water bodies, allowing it to colonize semi-arid regions.

Distribution

Native range: Southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and much of Asia.
Expanding range: Migrates regularly northward into central and northern Europe; recorded even in the UK, Ireland, and southern Scandinavia during warm years.
Also found: Canary Islands, Azores, and parts of sub-Saharan Africa.

Ecological Role

Predator: Controls populations of small flying insects such as mosquitoes.
Prey: Eaten by birds, frogs, spiders, and larger dragonflies.
Indicator species: Presence signals clean, well-oxygenated, and sun-exposed aquatic habitats.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
Population trend: Stable or expanding northward due to climate warming.
Threats:
- Loss of wetlands and temporary ponds.
- Pollution and eutrophication of freshwater habitats.
Conservation: Protection of shallow, sunlit wetlands and maintenance of natural water levels.

Interesting Facts

One of the earliest dragonflies to recolonize newly created or disturbed water bodies.
Males’ intense red coloration deepens with maturity and warm temperatures.
Capable of long-distance flights across seas and deserts—records show migrations between Africa and southern Europe.
Its adaptability and strong flight make it one of the most successful Sympetrum species worldwide.