Species account

Almindelig Hedelibel (Sympetrum vulgatum)    (Linnaeus, 1758)
   Libeller (Libellulidae) [Guldsmede]    MODA    24830
Moustached Darter (gb)   Libélula de Ocharán (es)   Tegelröd Ängstrollslända (se)  
Synonyms (common):
Vagrant Darter (gb) questionable synonym)}
Synonyms (scientific):
Libellula variegata Müller, 1764 (nec Linnaeus, 1763; questionable synonym)
Sympetrum decolorata Selys, 1884
Diplax imitans Selys, 1886
Sympetrum flavum Bartenev, 1915
Sympetrum vulgatum ibericum Ocharan, 1985
Subspecies
decoloratum
Plain Darter. (Selys, 1884) - Turkey to C Asia.
ibericum
Iberian peninsula. To 30-36mm Ab 20-24mm Hw 22-27mm.
Measurements:
To 35-40mm Ab 23-28mm Hw 24-29mm
Generations:
Flight period:
JFMAMJJASOND 
Scan
EU
Identification:
Even the mature wing marks are pale underneath resembling the young animals.
Similar species:
Life stages:
The mating takes place near the water hole, and takes place in the vegetation and lasts 10-15 minutes. The pair then flies in tandem low over the shore vegetation, wet or dry part, and the eggs are dropped while the male swings the female. Sometimes they detach and the female completes the process by herself. The eggs overwinter and hatch the following spring, where the larvae live in-between water plants or at the bottom, and develop during 3-4 months (same season). The imago-transformation takes place low on plants in the water.
Distribution:
In Europe mainly the central and eastern part; absent most of Iberian peninsula (and the Canaries), most of British Isles and northern Fennoscandinavia, Mediterranean islands, most of Italy, Greece and Turkey. Also present Ukraine and Russia to the E Asian region.
Habitat:
Behavior:
Endemic:
Status
In Denmark the species is stable and widespread present in all regions, including most islands. However, it seems to be competed out by striolatum, which is expanding north, and this tendency might be seen in other countries as well, thus being the reason for the species's difficult situation at a European level in general.
Comment:
Moustached Darter 429    (1 photos)
2020-05-01    Kalvebod Fælled (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago Han
Young.
Yellow on the legs and black line down the eye.



Moustached Darter 431    (5 photos)
2020-08-11    Kalvebod Fælled (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago Han
Young individual.



Moustached Darter 2290    (1 photos)
2023-08-30    Dragør Kommune, Denmark

Imago Han
I think the shape of the black moustache and the amount of yellow on the forelegs go better with this species than striolatum [Stor Hedelibel].



Moustached Darter 2305    (1 photos)
2023-09-11    Bastemosen (Bornholm), Denmark

Imago Han
Has grabbed a sangineum [Blodrød Hedelibel] female showing the all-black legs, pointed moustache and bright colored side of thorax with limited black lines.

It's an old male and the amount of yellow on the legs appears more restricted than it would have on a younger male. One might even suggest that it is a striolatum [Stor Hedelibel] instead of, also showing a not-so-protruding moustache as might have been expected on vulgatum. But I think it looks this way because of the age and the difficult angle to judge from. Normally, on striolatum, the yellow ovals on the side of the thorax are more conspicuous than is seen here, where they seem to fit vulgatum well. Another point in favor of vulgatum is the simple fact that striolatum is normally not seen here...

Rare
Moustached Darter 2375    (2 photos)
2023-09-14    Travbaneparken, Denmark

Imago Han
The moustache is good for the species as is a good amount of yellow on the legs. And the side of the thorax is uniformly colored compared to what is normally seen on striolatum [Stor Hedelibel].



Moustached Darter 2356    (2 photos)
2023-09-15    Amager Fælled, Denmark

Imago Han
Dæmningen, Landskabelige Kanal.



Moustached Darter 2357    (1 photos)
2023-09-15    Amager Fælled, Denmark

Imago Han
Dæmningen, Landskabelige Kanal.



Moustached Darter 2385    (3 photos)
2023-09-21    Kalvebod Fælled (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago Han
As far as I can tell, the two photos, (1, 2-3) show the same animal, with the cut off half of the left foreleg. However, the first photo was taken near the southern narrow bridge over the channel along Ellevehøjvej, and the other one I took 5 minutes later east of the southern bunker area, some hundred meters away. Am I wrong or did it follow me there?

Next part is to accept the species. The moustache does not look too strong down the side of the eye, but it still seems to be a bit too strong and present to fit striolatum. Also there seem to be quite much yellow on the foreleg and the side of the thorax also look darker than normally seem on striolatum.

Aberrant
Moustached Darter 2863    (1 photos)
2024-07-15    Bøtø (Falster), Denmark

Imago Han
Diget. Young.
Typical moustache for the species but rather limited yellow on the front leg, more similar to a striolatum [Stor Hedelibel].



Moustached Darter 2865    (2 photos)
2024-07-20    Bøtø (Falster), Denmark

Imago Han
Diget. Young.



Moustached Darter 2982    (2 photos)
2024-08-05    Kongelundsområdet (Dragør), Denmark    POSITION

Imago Han
Nordskoven. Young.



Moustached Darter 3390    (2 photos)
2025-09-17    Kalvebod Fælled (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago Han
SHV-lysningerne.
One of three vulgatum captured today, which is relatively many compared to what I normally see. Which of course raises the question whether I'm underestimating them when just id'ing them with camera and binos?

Captured
Moustached Darter 3389    (5 photos)
2025-09-17    Kalvebod Fælled (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago Han
SHV-lysningerne.
One of three vulgatum captured today, which is relatively many compared to what I normally see. Which of course raises the question whether I'm underestimating them when just id'ing them with camera and binos?

Captured
Moustached Darter 430    (4 photos)
2020-08-11    Kalvebod Fælled (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago Hun
The vulvar scale (skedeklappen) apparently is flexible being able to retract and expand changing the size of the visible part. Notice the size difference in photo 3 and 4.



Moustached Darter 428    (5 photos)
2020-08-11    Kalvebod Fælled (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago Hun
Probably a young with the pale colors, including extensive yellow on the legs.



Moustached Darter 1886    (4 photos)
2022-07-14    Bøtø (Falster), Denmark

Imago Hun
Young.



Moustached Darter 1888    (2 photos)
2022-07-18    Kalvebod Fælled (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago Hun




Moustached Darter 1887    (2 photos)
2022-07-18    Kalvebod Fælled (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago Hun
Young.



Moustached Darter 1772    (1 photos)
2023-07-07    Kalvebod Fælled (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago Hun
A single seen this day.



Moustached Darter 1959    (1 photos)
2023-07-21    Bøtø (Falster), Denmark

Imago Hun
Young.



Moustached Darter 1960    (2 photos)
2023-07-21    Bøtø (Falster), Denmark

Imago Hun
Young.



Moustached Darter 1990    (3 photos)
2023-07-26    Hvidovre Strandenge, Denmark

Imago Hun
Teneral.



Moustached Darter 2046    (2 photos)
2023-07-27    Skær Sø (Egtved), Denmark

Imago Hun
The moustache is probably a bit more blurry down the side of the frons on this individual than normally seen, but still good for the species. Which is also supported by extensive yellow on the legs, the incomplete black rectangle on the side of the thorax plus the rather vertical vulvar scale. Only one seen today.



Moustached Darter 2183    (1 photos)
2023-08-13    Halvmånesøen (Tranegilde-Ishøj), Denmark

Imago Hun




Moustached Darter 2296    (2 photos)
2023-09-01    Travbaneparken, Denmark

Imago Hun
Plejehjemsdammen.
The vulvar scale guarantees the identification. Otherwise a good example of how important it can be to have more photos of a subject when claiming a certain species. Here the moustache looks almost non-existing down the side of the eye in the frontal view and abnormally large in the lateral view.



Moustached Darter 2374    (3 photos)
2023-09-14    Travbaneparken, Denmark

Imago Hun
Mature. Another example of photo-misguiding if not sufficient material to id properly. Looking at the face-on in photo 1 the moustache is limited like one would expect it to be on striolatum [Stor Hedelibel], but becomes obviously vulgatum-like in photo 2-3. The species is also supported by the large vulvar scale and much yellow on the legs.



Moustached Darter 2367    (2 photos)
2023-09-17    Kalvebod Fælled (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago Hun
You can discuss whether the moustache and the amount of yellow on the legs would fit a striolatum [Stor Hedelibel] better, but the shape and size of the vulvar scale should eliminate all doubt in favor of vulgatum, and again, making it clear that photo id often is not as straight forward as one might wish for.



Moustached Darter 2983    (3 photos)
2024-08-05    Kongelundsområdet (Dragør), Denmark    POSITION

Imago Hun
Nordskoven.
The rear edge of the vulvar scale appears inclined on this animal, thus better suited for a striolatum [Stor Hedelibel], but being a very flexible structure one can't rely on this to separate the two when the scale isn't fully 'opened', which it clearly can't be here, with the bullet-proof vulgatum characters, the moustache and the extensively yellow legs.

I know the last photo looks different, but I've noted the three as belonging to the same animal, and think the different appearance is based on the different angle and background.
Moustached Darter 2984    (1 photos)
2024-08-05    Kongelundsområdet (Dragør), Denmark    POSITION

Imago Hun
Nordskoven.



Moustached Darter 3062    (2 photos)
2024-09-23    Kalvebod Fælled (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago Hun
Villahøj.
The sharply-pointed vulvar scale, standing out perpendicularly is what indicates this species, despite of the hidden moustache and the limited yellow on the legs. Notice the very damaged wings.

Hands on
Moustached Darter 3058    (2 photos)
2024-09-29    Kalvebod Fælled (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago Hun
Pinseskoven.
A good example of how tricky it can be to judge the shape and extension of the black moustache running along the eye, if the angle isn't good. In photo 1 it would be fair to think that the black at the bottom of the line is part of the eye, thus suiting a striolatum better [Stor Hedelibel], but in photo 2 it is obvious that the black is a moustache continuation from the broad top to the narrow tip.

Hands on
Moustached Darter 3059    (4 photos)
2024-09-29    Kalvebod Fælled (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago Hun
Pinseskoven.
More angles can be necessary to be sure to judge the shape and extension of the black moustache correctly. In photo 2 you might get the feeling that the black is part of the frons rather than belonging to the moustache itself.



Moustached Darter 3388    (4 photos)
2025-09-17    Kalvebod Fælled (Tårnby), Denmark

Imago Hun
SHV-lysningerne.
One of three vulgatum captured today, which is relatively many compared to what I normally see. Which of course raises the question whether I'm underestimating them when just id'ing them with camera and binos?

Captured