Shallow ponds and lakes with abundant marginal vegetation.

Rare migrant from Central Europe. About ten were recorded up to 1946, mostly in south-east England. An unprecedented influx in 1995 led to at least 15 records from Norfolk and others in Suffolk, Kent and London. Since then there have been less than 10 records.

Can be confused with other Darter species, particularly Common Darter.

Vagrant Darter can be distinguished by its:

• Lack of markings on sides of thorax.
• Brown pterostigma (wing spots)
• Male: a noticeable black line extending down the front edge of each eye.
• Female: distinctive, prominent vulvar scale.