Yellow-winged darter

Last updated

Yellow-winged darter
Sympetrum flaveolum male - Kulna.jpg
Male
Sympetrum flaveolum female (dorsal view) - Kulna.jpg
Female
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Sympetrum
Species:
S. flaveolum
Binomial name
Sympetrum flaveolum
(Linnaeus, 1758)

The yellow-winged darter (Sympetrum flaveolum) is a dragonfly found in Europe and mid and northern China.[ citation needed ] Breeding is confined to stagnant water, usually in peat bogs. Although not resident in the United Kingdom it occasionally migrates there in some numbers. Such 'Invasion Years' occurred in 1906, 1926, 1945, 1953, and 1995. On each occasion a small breeding colony appeared, but they have invariably died out after a few years.

An almost unmistakable darter, red-bodied in the male, with both sexes having large amounts of saffron-yellow colouration to the basal area of each wing, which is particularly noticeable on the hind-wings. Other Sympetrum species may have limited yellow-orange colouration near the extreme wing-bases, especially in females, but never so extensively as in this species.

Sites which are likely to attract this species have thick rushy margins. The yellow-winged darter tends to make quite short flights when settled at a site, and frequently perches quite low down on vegetation.

The yellow-winged darter has bred but is not established in the UK. It has occurred in Cumbria as single individuals on very few occasions. The most recent record was at Killington Reservoir in August 1995.

In Southern Europe, the nymphs of this dragonfly live in oligotrophic lakes with submerged vegetation, at high altitudes. Temperature and vegetation of these habitats are likely to be altered by Climate Change. As an abundant predator the species has an important role in food webs of high altitude lakes. Its disappearance will lead to changes in food webs.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-veined darter</span> Species of dragonfly

The red-veined darter or nomad is a dragonfly of the genus Sympetrum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common darter</span> Species of dragonfly

The common darter is a dragonfly of the family Libellulidae native to Eurasia. It is one of the most common dragonflies in Europe, occurring in a wide variety of water bodies, though with a preference for breeding in still water such as ponds and lakes. In the south of its range adults are on the wing all year round.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vagrant darter</span> Species of dragonfly

The vagrant darter is a European dragonfly. The species takes its English name from its habit of occasionally appearing as a rare vagrant north of its normal range. However, it is likely to be under-recorded because it is very similar to the common darter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruddy darter</span> Species of dragonfly

The ruddy darter is a species of dragonfly of the family Libellulidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banded darter (dragonfly)</span> Species of dragonfly

Sympetrum pedemontanum, the banded darter, is a dragonfly belonging to the genus Sympetrum. It is characterized by its small stature, dark wing bands, and red or yellow body. It lives in areas with low vegetation and stagnant or weakly flowing bodies of water. Although debate exists regarding the taxa's relationship to others in its genus, it can most commonly be identified by its wing bands, bilobed prothorax, and possibly its genitalia.

<i>Sympetrum</i> Genus of dragonflies

Sympetrum is a genus of small to medium-sized skimmer dragonflies, known as darters in the UK and as meadowhawks in North America. The more than 50 species predominantly live in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere; 15 species are native to North America. No Sympetrum species is native to Australia.

<i>Sympetrum danae</i> Species of dragonfly

Sympetrum danae, the black darter or black meadowhawk, is a dragonfly found in northern Europe, Asia, and North America. At about 30 mm (1.2 in) long, it is Britain's smallest resident dragonfly. It is a very active late summer insect typical of heathland and moorland bog pools.

<i>Chalcostephia</i> Genus of dragonflies

Chalcostephia is a monotypic genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae containing the single species Chalcostephia flavifrons. It is known by the common names yellowface and inspector. It is native to central Africa, where it has a widespread distribution. This dragonfly lives in swampy habitats. It is affected by the drainage and reclamation of swamps for agriculture, but it is not considered to be threatened.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-faced darter</span> Species of dragonfly

The white-faced darter or small whiteface is a dragonfly belonging to the genus Leucorrhinia in the family Libellulidae, characterised by red and black markings and a distinctive white patch on the head. It is found in wetlands and peat bogs from northern Europe eastwards to Siberia, and the adults are active from around April till September, which is known as the "flight period". It breeds in acidic bodies of water, laying its eggs in clumps of sphagnum moss that provide a safe habitat for larval development. The larvae are particularly vulnerable to predation by fish, and so are usually found in lakes where fish are not present. L. dubia is listed as a species of least concern (LC) by the IUCN Red List, however, it is potentially threatened by habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.

<i>Sympetrum vicinum</i> Species of dragonfly

Sympetrum vicinum, the Yellow-Legged Meadowhawk is one of some fifteen North American species of autumn meadowhawk, which are members of the Odonate family Libellulidae. It grows to 26–35 mm long.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Band-winged meadowhawk</span> Species of dragonfly

The band-winged meadowhawk is a dragonfly of the genus Sympetrum belonging to the family Libellulidae.

<i>Sympetrum madidum</i> Species of dragonfly

Sympetrum madidum, the red-veined meadowhawk, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae.

<i>Lestes sponsa</i> Species of damselfly

Lestes sponsa is a damselfly with a wide Palaearctic distribution. It is known commonly as the emerald damselfly or common spreadwing. Both males and females have a metallic green colour and brown wing spots. It resides near pools with aquatic plants. When resting its wings are usually half opened.

<i>Sympetrum meridionale</i> Species of dragonfly

Sympetrum meridionale, the southern darter, is a species of dragonfly belonging to the Skimmer family Libellulidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Lake Nature Reserve</span>

Black Lake is a nature reserve in Delamere Forest, Cheshire, England. It lies in the southwestern corner of the forest, just south of the Manchester–Chester railway. It is managed by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust (CWT) on behalf of the Forestry Commission, and as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is monitored by Natural England.

References

  1. Kalkman, V.J. (2018) [errata version of 2014 assessment]. "Sympetrum flaveolum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2014: e.T165501A128973042. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T165501A19168591.en . Retrieved 27 May 2024.