The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Nomad / Red-veined Darter
Afrikaans name: Swerwertjie
Female Nomad dragonfly
Photo © Steven Herbert
Sympetrum fonscolombii
The Nomad is a common dragonfly that has a very widspread distribution. Besides being found over most of Africa, including Madagascar, it is also found in parts of Asia and southern Europe.
This dragonfly has a dependency on water but that water could be in the middle of an arid area and they could occur there. It may be seen either perched on the ground or a low plant stem.
The Nomad is not quite 4 cm in length and has a wingspan of around 6 cm. Males are a brilliant orange-red in colour while females are more drab.
In some areas it can be seen all year round.