Breeds in large shallow water bodies such as rice paddies in Southern Europe.

Fairly frequent migrant, principally to the south of Britain, although scattered records from elsewhere. Records have been increasing since the 1980s. Breeding observed regularly, but colonies are seemingly not stable yet.

Can be confused with other Darter species.

This species can be distinguished by the following features:

• blue eyes.
• pale pterostigma (wing spots) outlined in black.
• coloured wing veins (red in males, yellow in females).