Broad Scarlet

Fascinating facts about the Broad Scarlet

• The scarlet dragonfly occupies a wide range of both running and standing waters, from fast-flowing streams to still ponds, but it avoids any water that is shaded. This flexibility allows it to thrive in many freshwater habitats across its range. Its broad distribution in southern Europe, Africa and western Asia shows how the species exploits these open-water sites. The preference for unshaded water also explains why it is absent from densely vegetated streams.
• Adults may be found some distance from water in habitats ranging from desert to open woodland, demonstrating their ability to travel far from their breeding sites. They are never recorded in dense forest, where thick cover would impede their flight. This avoidance of thick vegetation means they are most often seen in open, sun-lit areas where they can hunt for insects.
• The male displays a vivid scarlet-red, broadened abdomen that stands out in flight, catching the light and signalling its identity. Small amber patches mark the bases of its hindwings, adding a flash of colour when it darts. The veins on the leading edges of the wings are also red, enhancing the overall bright appearance. These colour features are built on a flattened, rather broad abdomen that measures 33-44 mm in length, giving the male a distinctive silhouette.
• Female scarlet dragonflies and their immature stages display a muted yellow-brown colour rather than the bright red of the males. This dull hue is marked by a distinct pale stripe that runs lengthwise along the top of the thorax, a feature noted in the species description. The stripe helps observers separate young and female individuals from the vivid males when they perch near water or fly over open habitats.
• The scarlet dragonfly is a very rare vagrant in Britain, with its first British record made at Hayle Kimbro Pool on the Lizard in Cornwall on 7 August 1995. Since that initial sighting, only a few further records have been added, all logged at scattered coastal or near-coastal sites in southeastern England from Dorset to Norfolk.

Sources

Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.

• Wikipedia

At a glance

About the Broad Scarlet

As the sun casts its golden rays upon the tranquil waters, the Broad Scarlet dances across the surface, its iridescent wings beating in a hypnotic rhythm, leaving a trail of shimmering beauty in its wake. With an effortless glide, this majestic dragonfly navigates the aquatic realm, its slender body weaving through the reeds with an air of elegance, as if savoring the warmth and freedom of its unencumbered world. In this serene environment, the Broad Scarlet reigns supreme, its vibrant scarlet hue a testament to its remarkable adaptability and resilience.

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