Summary ²²

Crocothemis erythraea is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. Its common names include broad scarlet, common scarlet-darter, scarlet darter and scarlet dragonfly.

Description ²³

Crocothemis erythraea can reach a length of 33–44 millimetres (1.3–1.7 in). These dragonflies haves a flattened and rather broad abdomen. The adult male scarlet dragonfly has a bright scarlet red, widened abdomen, with small amber patches at the bases of the hindwings. Also the veins on the leading edges of the wings are red. Females and immatures are yellow-brown and have a conspicuous pale stripe along the top of the thorax.

Habitat ²³

A wide range of both running and standing waters, except those that are shaded. Adults may be found some distance from water in habitats ranging from desert to open woodland; absent from dense forest.

Status and distribution ²³

The scarlet dragonfly is a common species in southern Europe and throughout Africa. It also occurs across western Asia as far as southern China. It is a very rare vagrant in Britain. Its first record in the country was at Hayle Kimbro Pool, The Lizard, Cornwall, on 7 August 1995. Since then there have been a few further records at scattered locations throughout Britain.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) 116916927065934112165, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by 116916927065934112165, https://picasaweb.google.com/116916927065934112165/CoteDIvoireBiodiversity05?authkey=Gv1sRgCJbEnbCchdaDiQE#5882250455738326354
2. (c) 116916927065934112165, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by 116916927065934112165, https://picasaweb.google.com/116916927065934112165/MaltaBiodiversity#5927876869165248338
3. (c) 116916927065934112165, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by 116916927065934112165, https://picasaweb.google.com/116916927065934112165/NgamilandBiodiversity#6188239861377029394
4. (c) Andreas Eichler, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2017.06.18.-01-Viernheim--Feuerlibelle-Weibchen.jpg
5. (c) Dirk Pons, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Dirk Pons
6. (c) Jakob Fahr, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Jakob Fahr
7. (c) David Marquina Reyes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/lagrimon/14194308996/
8. (c) David Marquina Reyes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/lagrimon/16178675561/
9. (c) Ouwesok, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/95975006@N08/41902476795/
10. (c) Ouwesok, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/95975006@N08/42085505134/
11. (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/52450054@N04/42369775315/
12. (c) 116916927065934112165, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by 116916927065934112165, https://picasaweb.google.com/116916927065934112165/MaltaBiodiversity#5927876858712391522
13. (c) Lies Van Rompaey, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/liesvanrompaey/29135301324/
14. (c) Damon Tighe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Damon Tighe
15. (c) Greg Lasley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Greg Lasley
16. (c) Tassos Sakoulis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Tassos Sakoulis
17. (c) redhat, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by redhat
18. (c) alderash, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by alderash
19. (c) David Renoult, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by David Renoult
20. (c) Robert Taylor, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Robert Taylor
21. (c) Juan Emilio, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crocothemis_erythraea.%E2%99%80_(3519264357).jpg
22. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocothemis_erythraea
23. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarlet_dragonfly

More Info

• iNat taxon page
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