Sympetrum pedemontanum (Mueller
in Allioni, 1776), The Banded Darter is a European species of dragonfly
of the family Libellulidae.
Length around 32mm, this species
is a small darter with black legs and broad hind wings. Males of the Banded
Darter, like most members of the genus, have a red abdomen and the female
ochre-brown. Both sexes have a brown band across each wing just inside
the pale yellow to red pterostigma. This is the species' primary distinguishing
feature. It is similar in size to the Black Darter (35-40mm), sharing the
broad hindwings and black legs.
The weak, low, fluttering flight
is not unlike that of a Black Darter, but it perches frequently on the
tips of rush stems rather than on the ground. It is a surprisingly inconspicuous
species.
Habitat in frequents marshes, swamps
and pools with dense reed beds usually in hilly country, this species is
resident in continental Europe. Its main breeding range is south-eastern,
especially at medium altitudes, although it appears to be spreading westwards.
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