Spotted Darter
VU

Spotted Darter

Sympetrum depressiusculum

UnknownVUEUVUEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sympetrum_depressiusculum

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Spotted Darter faces severe population declines primarily due to wetland habitat destruction and degradation across its European range. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and water pollution have eliminated many of the shallow, vegetated ponds and marshes essential for breeding. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and increasing drought frequency, further reducing suitable aquatic habitats.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Spotted Darter inhabits shallow, well-vegetated freshwater habitats including ponds, marshes, ditches, and slow-flowing streams with abundant emergent and floating vegetation. It prefers warm, nutrient-rich waters with dense plant cover that provides both breeding sites and hunting grounds for small invertebrates.

Other threatened species in Libellulidae

Keeled SkimmerVU

Keeled Skimmer

Orthetrum coerulescens

Unknown
White-faced DarterVU

White-faced Darter

Leucorrhinia dubia

Unknown
VU

Ruby Whiteface

Leucorrhinia rubicunda

Unknown
Scarce ChaserCR

Scarce Chaser

Libellula fulva

Unknown

Threatened in Albania

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Anthophore estivaleCR

Anthophore estivale

Anthophora aestivalis

Unknown
Adonis BlueVU

Adonis Blue

Lysandra bellargus

Unknown
VU

Anthribus fasciatus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Spotted Darter classified as Vulnerable?
Spotted Darter is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Spotted Darter faces severe population declines primarily due to wetland habitat destruction and degradation across its European range. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and water pollution have eliminated many of the shallow, vegetated ponds and marshes essential for breeding. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and increasing drought frequency, further reducing suitable aquatic habitats.
Where does Spotted Darter live?
Spotted Darter occurs in Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Belgium (plus 34 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Spotted Darter?
The main threats to Spotted Darter are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.