The best identification I can make for this dragonfly is Vagrant Emperor, Anax ephippiger, but, as he's described on the British Dragonfly Society's site as "A rare migrant from sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East", please can I trespass once again on those of you who know their insects to give me an identification?
I am no expert but this does look like a Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) a young female. Note the clear wings with lack of yellow at the base and the thin yellow stripe running down the legs.The tapered abdomen with no 'club' at the end shows it is a female, so too does the colour as the males are redder. The overall paleness indicates it is newly emerged and she will darken with age. I have often persuaded myself that I have found something unusual and rare and written off to experts in their fields who promptly put me right with a common insect, so I have learned to search all the expected species first including all their variants and colour options. I would be delighted to be proved wrong at any instant if someone knows better.
ReplyDeleteHi Derryck - Yes, looks as if you're right. What a come-down, from thinking it was an exotic blown in from Africa. But, as you say, I need to research in more depth before becoming too excited. Jon
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