Sympetrum vulgatum (Linnaeus, 1758)

The body is basically reddish in males and yellowish in females. As other congeners, this species has a black line between the frons and the eyes and a yellow line along the dark legs. An important feature is a black spot on the sides of the 1st and 2nd abdominal segment.

Adults can be seen from June to November, with a peak from August to October.

The larvae grow in many still, rich in vegetation water bodies and also in very slow flowing waters. It can be found from the plain until 2000 meters above sea level.

In Europe it is widespread eastwards and northwards (until southern Norway, Sweden and Finland). It becomes rarer westwards and southwards. In the Cuneo region it is very rare and localized: it has been observed just one individual, likely in dispersal, in the upper part of Stura valley.