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The scarlet dragonfly (Crocothemis erythraea) is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae, commonly found in southern Europe and throughout Africa. Individuals can reach a length of 33 to 44 millimetres (1.3 to 1.7 inches), and have a flattened and rather broad abdomen. Adult males have a bright scarlet-red, widened abdomen, with small amber patches at the bases of the hindwings, while females and immature dragonflies are yellow-brown with a conspicuous pale stripe along the top of the thorax. This female scarlet dragonfly was photographed in Bulgaria.Photograph credit: Charles James Sharp