Sympetrum meridionale, the southern darter, is a species of dragonfly belonging to the Skimmer family Libellulidae.
| Sympetrum meridionale | |
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| Male of Sympetrum meridionale | |
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| Female of Sympetrum meridionale, with mites on the left wings | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
| Family: | Libellulidae |
| Genus: | Sympetrum |
| Species: | S. meridionale
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| Binomial name | |
| Sympetrum meridionale (Selys, 1841)
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| Synonyms | |
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Description
editThe adults grow up to 35–40 millimetres (1.4–1.6 in) long. The wingspan reaches 52–60 millimetres (2.0–2.4 in).
The abdomen of adult males is orange-reddish, without black spots on segments. The sides of the thorax are yellowish-brown. The adult females are quite similar to males, but the background color is more yellow. The wings are hyaline, with yellow or pale brown pterostigma.
Life cycle and behavior
editTheir life cycle lasts two or three years. They can be encountered from May through mid October in the immediate vicinity of shallow, well vegetated still water, where the larvae develop.
Distribution
editThis species is present in most of southern Europe.
References
edit- ^ Kalkman, V.J. (2014). "Sympetrum meridionale". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T165510A19169192. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T165510A19169192.en. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- Dijkstra, Klaas-Douwe B. (2006). Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe. British Wildlife Publishing. ISBN 0-9531399-4-8.
- Henrik Steinmann - World Catalogue of Odonata (Volume II Anisoptera) [S. 477f], de Gruyter, 1997, ISBN 3-11-014934-6
- Fauna Europaea
- Biolib