Broad Scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 (1/500th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  (1/160th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  (1/400th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  (1/500th sec at f10 . Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  (1/320th sec at f13 . Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) DescriptionWingspan: 46 - 66 mm; Body length: 36 - 45 mm Also known as the Scarlet Darter, this is essentially an African species that extends into Europe. The all-red male is becoming an increasingly common sight further north. All all ages the wings are clear, with a large amber patch at the hindwing base. There is no black on the legs, head or thorax. The pterostigma are yellowish-brown. It is found quite widely in southern, central and western Europe, and is an occasional vagrant in the British Isles. It will utilise almost any open, stagnant water, including rice paddies and brackish lagoons. The flight period is from mid-June to early September in northern Europe. Males are territorial at their breeding sites, perching like other darters with their wings well forward. Sightings
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