Taxonomy
Sympetrum sanguineum | Ruddy Darter | Sciobaire Cosdubh
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Ireland: Least Concern
EU: Least Concern
There is no evidence of any significant change in its distribution.
Native status
Native
Species Biology
Identification
Length: 3.4cm
Wingspan: 5.5cm
Both sexes have clear wings with a light brown wing spot, a yellow patch at the base and black legs. They both also have black markings on segment 8 and 9 of the abdomen. Males have a waisted abdomen, they start out golden yellow but turn blood-red when mature and have a reddish-brown thorax.
Mature females have an unwaisted golden yellow abdomen with a black stripe down the centre.
Adult habitat & habits
Flight is typically short and bouncy. Likes to perch on waterside vegetation. They’re not territorial.
Habitat
Prefers well vegetated (emergent plants), small and shallow ponds, bog pools, lakes turloughs, canals and ditches. Generally avoids acidic and fast running water, although sometimes breeds in dense vegetation of slow-flowing sections of a river.
Flight period
June to September (occasionally May and/or October)
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Widespread throughout Ireland although quite sparse in the south west and absent from large areas up north.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2025
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