Vagrant. Recorded in Cavan in the 1940s where it is believed to have bred. In August 1998 adults were seen in Co. Down and Co. Wexford. In Britain this species has been seen annually since 1995. Most have been migrants but breeding has been noted in a number of sites from Cornwall to Yorkshire. Adult darters Sympetrum spp. seen on coastal localities should be carefully checked for this species.

This species is most similar to the Ruddy Darter but can be distinguished by the red or yellow wing veins along the leading edge of the basal half of each wing and the unwaisted abdomen.

KEY IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

• males brick red with unwaisted abdomen
• females yellow brown
• veins at base and on front of wing red in male and yellow in female
• pterostigma pale yellow with black border
• underside of eye blue in male