Yellow-winged Darter
VU

Yellow-winged Darter

Sympetrum flaveolum

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow-winged_darter

Overview

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

The Yellow-winged Darter faces severe population declines across its European range due to the widespread drainage and destruction of its specialized wetland breeding habitats. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and increasing temperatures, which can cause the shallow, temporary pools essential for larval development to dry out prematurely. Agricultural intensification and urban development continue to fragment remaining suitable habitats, while pollution from agricultural runoff degrades water quality in surviving breeding sites.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Yellow-winged Darter inhabits shallow, temporary wetlands including flooded meadows, ditches, small ponds, and marshy areas with emergent vegetation. It shows a strong preference for ephemeral water bodies that warm quickly in spring and early summer, providing optimal conditions for rapid larval development.

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VU

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Yellow-winged Darter classified as Vulnerable?
Yellow-winged 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 Yellow-winged Darter faces severe population declines across its European range due to the widespread drainage and destruction of its specialized wetland breeding habitats. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and increasing temperatures, which can cause the shallow, temporary pools essential for larval development to dry out prematurely. Agricultural intensification and urban development continue to fragment remaining suitable habitats, while pollution from agricultural runoff degrades water quality in surviving breeding sites.
Where does Yellow-winged Darter live?
Yellow-winged Darter occurs in Afghanistan, Åland Islands, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, and Azerbaijan (plus 46 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 Yellow-winged Darter?
The main threats to Yellow-winged 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.

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