Photographs

Rufous Marsh Glider (Rhodothemis rufa) (male)

Flora & Fauna

Rhodothemis rufa is also called Ruby Darter, Rufous Marsh Glider, Spine-legged Redbolt and Common Redbolt. This dragonfly is red throughout and has amber patches at the bases of the wings. Rhodothemis rufa can be distinguished from the other common red dragonflies by a couple of unique features: (1) A stripe of brighter red runs from the head and between the wings to the abdomen. (2) The eyes touch other at just a point. Young males and females are ochre coloured. A light stripe runs down the top of the thorax to the abdomen, and this identifies these forms immediately.