Scarlet dragonfly

Common names: Broad Scarlet, Common Scarlet-Darter, Scarlet Darter and Scarlet Dragonfly

Taxonomy:

Kingdom:  Animalia Phylum:   Arthropoda Class:       Insecta Order:       Odonata Suborder: Epiprocta Infraorder: Anisoptera Family:   Libellulidae Genus:       Crocothemis Species:  C. erythraea Binomial name : Crocothemis erythraea

Description Length: 33-44mm This darter has a flattened abdomen appearing rather broad compared to other UK darters. The male is vividly bright scarlet and unmistakeable. The veins on the leading edges of the wings are also red. The female and immature are yellow-brown with a conspicuous pale stripe along the top of the thorax, between the wings. Habitat The species occurs at a wide range of running and standing, unshaded waters including rice paddies and brackish lagoons. Population: The species is widespread and common, increasing in range in some parts of the world,