Broad Scarlet

• GeneralThe male is wholly scarlet; one of the most conspicuous dragonflies in southern Europe.
• The male's scarlet appears on maturing: young males look like the females, yellowish brown with a pale stripe on the thorax.
• The larva passes through eleven instars and needs the water to warm to about 18 °C before it will begin metamorphosis and emerge.
• It basks to regulate its body temperature, which is essential if it is to fly and hunt.
• It is one of the dragonflies expanding its range furthest into northern Europe as the climate warms.

Skeleton type

Invertebrate - chitin exoskeleton (insect)

Habitat & environment

Ponds, reservoirs, ditches and irrigation tanks

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocothemis_erythraea