Sympetrum danae - Black Darter
Male
Male
Female
Mating pair
Mating pair
Male caught by a Raft Spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus)
Superb close-up of head showing the individual cells of the eyes
Exuvia (male, top view)
Description
Length: 29-34mm
This small heathland and moorland species is the only UK black dragonfly (males).
The legs are entirely black.
There is a constriction of the abdomen around S4, giving a club-shaped appearence.
The pterostigma is black.
The males become extensively black with maturity with a black frons and thorax.
Some yellow markings remain along the sides of the abdomen and thorax.
Females and immature males have a yellow abdomen and brown thorax marked with a black triangle on top.
The side of the thorax and the lower part of the abdomen is strongly marked in black.
Habitat
A species of peat moss and moorland, breeding in ponds, bog pools and drainage ditches.
Status and Distribution
Widespread and can be abundant, especially in the north. Local in southern Ireland and eastern and central England.
Distribution map from the National Biodiversity Network Gateway (opens in new window).
Similar species
The black males are unmistakeable but the females resemble other darters.
The black panels on the sides and black triangle on the top of the thorax can help.