The scarlet dragonfly (Crocothemis erythraea) is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. Its common names include broad scarlet, common scarlet-darter, and scarlet darter.
The scarlet dragonfly is a common species in southern Europe and throughout Africa. It also occurs across western Asia as far as southern China. It is a very rare vagrant in Britain. Its first record in the country was at Hayle Kimbro Pool, The Lizard, Cornwall, on 7 August 1995. Since then there have been a few further records at scattered coastal or near-coastal locations in southeastern England from Dorset to Norfolk.
A wide range of both running and standing waters, except those that are shaded. Adults may be found some distance from water in habitats ranging from desert to open woodland; absent from dense forest.
Crocothemis erythraea can reach a length of 33–44 millimetres (1.3–1.7 in). These dragonflies haves a flattened and rather broad abdomen. The adult male scarlet dragonfly has a bright scarlet red, widened abdomen, with small amber patches at the bases of the hindwings. Also the veins on the leading edges of the wings are red. Females and immatures are yellow-brown and have a conspicuous pale stripe along the top of the thorax.
The broad scarlet dragonfly (Crocothemis erythraea), also known as the scarlet darter, is a medium-sized insect recognized by its vivid, bright red color and distinctly flat, wide body. Adult males feature a striking scarlet appearance with unique amber patches at the base of their wings.Key Identification Facts
Size: 33 to 44 mm long with a wingspan up to 71 mm.
Body: Flattened, broad abdomen with no black markings.
Color: Vivid scarlet red on the body, head, legs, and main wing veins.
Wings: Distinct small amber spots at the base of the hindwings.
Habitat and Range
Where they live: Near shallow, still, or slow-flowing open waters like ponds, marshes, and pools.
Geographic spread: Very common across southern Europe, Africa, and western Asia.
