Ruddy darter

The Ruddy Darter attains a wingspan of up to 6 cm. The head, thorax and abdomen of the male are vivid red, while the female is slightly smaller, and is a golden-yellow colour with black markings. The abdomen widens for the final third of its length and shows a marked pinched section where it joins the thorax.

The all-black legs of the Ruddy Darter distinguish it from the otherwise very similar Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) and Vagrant Darter (Sympetrum vulgatum), both of which show yellow stripes on their legs.