Yellow-winged Darter

Description:

Female. 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. The yellow-winged darter tends to make quite short flights when settled at a site, and frequently perches quite low down on vegetation.

Habitat:

Spotted at a clearing in a pine tree forest. Mountains. Parque Natural de Sierra de Gredos.

Notes:

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. Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/250 sec.; f/16; ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm. Flash fired