Spotted Darter Sympetrum depressiusculum

The name gives away the key feature: distinctive spots scattered across the wings and body that set it apart from other darters. As a member of the 'darter' family of dragonflies, they're built for rapid, acrobatic flight, hunting prey mid-air with impressive precision and speed. Found across temperate regions of Eurasia, these small but fierce hunters are common visitors to ponds and streams. Their spotted pattern makes them reliable to identify once you know what to look for.