English name:  Small Scarlet

Like all members of the family Libellulidae, the male of the Small Scarlet also tends to stand in a conspicuous place for long hours, usually at the same lookout point, to which he will return even if disturbed. While standing like this, he waits for a female to pass through his territory.

Size: Very small.
Habitat: Standing water, usually shallow. For example: small ponds, drainage ditches, etc. 
The Small Scarlet tends to stand on vertical surfaces such as rocks, etc.

Distribution: Throughout Africa, as well as the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula.
In Israel it is very rare and probably maintains a resident population only in Nahal David. This is probably its northernmost distribution range.
The population in Israel is a relict population cut off from the rest of the populations and has characteristics unique to it.

Identification marks:
 Very similar to the Red Scarlet, and distinguishing between them is difficult.
The most important signs for distinguishing between them are: 
* Size- the Small Scarlet is significantly smaller than the Red Scarlet.
* Observation site- the Red Scarlet is common throughout the country, whereas the Small Scarlet probably maintains a population only in Nahal David 
*Abdomen shape- the abdomen does not widen in the middle.
* Pterostigma color- in young individuals the pterostigma is light (like that of the Red Scarlet), later it turns red (unlike the Red Scarlet)
*Male- body color slightly darker red than that of the Red Scarlet, and additionally in the upper part of the abdomen there are "dark" spots relative to the rest of the abdomen. (see photo)
*Female- there is a black marking, apparently as a broken line on the sides of the body. (see photo), and the appendages are relatively far apart from one another. The genital organ at the bottom of the body points backward and not downward as in the Red Scarlet (see also for comparison)

In Africa the males have a black marking like the female. In the Israeli population this mark is apparently absent.

Similar species:
Male- in the family Libellulidae there are many red species (members of the genera: Crocothemis, Orthetrum and Tramea). It is especially worth paying attention tothe Red Scarlet and the Asian Scarlet which are the most similar to the Small Scarlet, and distinguishing between them is difficult.

Female- almost all females of the family Libellulidae are very similar, and details must be noted to distinguish between them