kids encyclopedia robot

Scarlet dragonfly facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Scarlet dragonfly
Broad scarlet (Crocothemis erythraea) male Cyprus.jpg
Male, Cyprus
Scarlet darter (Crocothemis erythraea) female Bulgaria.jpg
Female, Bulgaria
Conservation status
Scientific classification

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.

Status and distribution

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 locations throughout Britain.

Habitat

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.

Description

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.

kids search engine
Scarlet dragonfly Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.