[Richard]

This beastie, not found by me and provisionally ID'd by the finder and others, was photo'd in windy conditions earlier today on the Attenborough nature reserve in South Notts.

Depth of field ain't great. I have cropped & sharpened by c100% and reduced resolution but I have not changed the levels/hue/saturation etc or done any other post-photo processing.

It has several interesting features suggesting a .........!!

Comments on ID please!

Richard

[Ranger James]

Looks like a teneral common darter to me.
James

[CJW]

I'm tempted to say fonscolombii. Especially as the bottom half of the eyes are blue. There are other features such as the black down the side of the frons and the strength of the markings on S8 and S9.
Yep, I've convinced myself, Red-veined Darter.

[Richard]

Thanks Chris - that is what I think. The yellow pterostigma with distinct black edges are more easily seen on the original pics. I cannot remember having seen a Common with those. I wish I had a better view of the tail end as she (I think she is a she!) has some form of vulval plate??? or are they eggs at the tip??? I will have to go back and look at the other pictures I took.

Hope you are well!

Richard

[Richard]

What do you reckon is on the tip of her(?) abdomen?

[CJW]

I'm fine thanks, mate. You?
I wouldn't like to say what's at the tip of the abdomen Richard, could be eggs I suppose.
It's definitely a RVD though - that second, flight shot, really shows the blue, basal half of the eyes which is diagnostic of the species.

[Leif]

Originally Posted by Richard

What do you reckon is on the tip of her(?) abdomen?

As Chris says, could be eggs. One of the pictures shows the insect in typical egg laying posture.

I've seen newly emerged dragonflies dripping from the tail, which I've taken to be moisture exuded from the slowly drying outer skin.

[harry eales]

Originally Posted by CJW

I'm fine thanks, mate. You?
I wouldn't like to say what's at the tip of the abdomen Richard, could be eggs I suppose.
It's definitely a RVD though - that second, flight shot, really shows the blue, basal half of the eyes which is diagnostic of the species.

I fully agree with your ID Chris, It's been seven years since I last saw a living specimen, they're fairly rare this far north. This specimen should give a 'Heads Up' to everyone interested in Dragonflies. Keep your eyes open folks.

Harry

[Adey Baker]

It's a couple of years since I accidentally bumped into what was probably the first RVD recorded in Leics and although I didn't see the blue of the eyes on that particular individual there were enough ID features on the photo that I got to clinch it - once you know what to look for!

Firstly, the brown colouration suggests a mature individual - at this time of year, at least, this should alert you to the possibility (if only I'd realised that two years ago!)

Secondly, as already noted above, the blue underside to the eyes is absolutely diagnostic.

Thirdly, the yellow, or yellow ochre, pterostigma within a bold black frame (likened to a stained-glass window)

Fourthly, the black markings on segments 8 and 9 of the abdomen (near the 'tip of the tail') are much bolder than Common Darter. Ruddy Darters are in-between the two so can look a bit like RVD but generally the difference is still obvious. Ruddies, of course, have a less 'straight-sided' abdomen, usually (older ones, can look a bit straighter, so be aware later in the year).

Lastly, the 'jizz' is of a long-winged, but rather short, straight-tailed darter.

All the features are there in Richard's attached shots so it's instantly identifiable as RVD - wish I'd seen these shots yesterday when they were first posted!

Well done, whoever suspected it as being something 'different!'

Adey

[Richard]

Thanks for the help. I will pass the comments on to the hero who found it.

I wish I had entitled the thread 'Red Veined Darter' but I did have my doubts.

Adey, it has been present in the same area since Monday, I am going to see if it is still there later on today.

Richard

[Adey Baker]

Sometimes they hang around for a while but they are strongly migratory - my individual was a 'here today gone today' - type!