Yellow-winged darter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yellow-winged darter |
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The yellow-winged darter (Sympetrum flaveolum) is a type of dragonfly. You can find these amazing insects in parts of Europe and in central and northern China. They love to breed in still water, especially in wet, spongy areas called peat bogs.
Even though they don't usually live in the United Kingdom, sometimes many of them fly there. These special "invasion years" happened in 1906, 1926, 1945, 1953, and 1995. When they arrived, small groups would start breeding. But sadly, these groups always disappeared after a few years.
What Does a Yellow-Winged Darter Look Like?
This dragonfly is quite easy to spot! The male yellow-winged darter has a bright red body. Both males and females have a lot of bright yellow color near the base of their wings. This yellow is super noticeable, especially on their back wings.
Other types of Sympetrum dragonflies might have a little bit of yellow or orange on their wings. But it's never as much as you see on the yellow-winged darter!
Where Do Yellow-Winged Darters Live?
Yellow-winged darters like places with thick, grassy edges around water. When they land, they often perch low down on plants. They also tend to make short flights from one spot to another.
In Southern Europe, the young dragonflies, called nymphs, live in clear lakes with plants growing underwater. These lakes are usually high up in the mountains.
Why Are Yellow-Winged Darters Important?
These dragonflies are important predators in their habitats. This means they hunt and eat other small creatures. They play a big role in the food webs of high-altitude lakes. A food web shows how living things get food from each other. If yellow-winged darters disappeared, it could change how the food web works in these lakes.
