Yellow-winged Darter

Irregular migrant but may occur in large numbers (1995, 2006). Has bred after major influxes (e.g. Chartley Moss, Staffordshire, in 1996), but colonies do not persist.

Found in marginal vegetation along ditches, ponds and the still backwaters of rivers.

• Length: 32-37mm
• Pale orange suffusion in the wings.
• The eyes are brown above and yellow below.
• The pterostigma (wing spots) are red or brown strongly outlined in black.
• Yellow leg stripes.
• Males: orange-red abdomen, red-brown thorax and red frons (face).
• Female: yellow-brown with black lines down the sides of the abdomen.

Darters have a squat, spider-like body-shape and a head that tapers back to the thorax.

Much rarer but very similar to Common and Ruddy Darter. Has shorter lateral abdominal spines on segment 9 (S9 lateral spines 0.6 of the length of S9).

May be confused with other Darter species.

Yellow-winged Darter can be distinguished by its:

• Red or brown pterostigma (wing spots).
• Orange-tinged wings.
• Yellow leg stripes.