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.

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