Autumn darter (Red dragonfly) Coloring Pages

Dragonflies Flying in the Autumn Sky!

Autumn darter (Red dragonfly) is the dragonfly that everyone usually calls a "red dragonfly". Seeing them fly together in groups in the autumn sky is a big part of autumn in Japan. They are gentle and you can often see them near people.

What Do Their Body Patterns Look Like?

Autumn darter (Red dragonfly) is special because its whole body turns a pretty red color.

• Near the end of summer, its color turns red. When autumn comes, it turns an even brighter red.
• When it is a baby insect, it is green.
• Its wings are clear and very pretty.

Where Do They Live?

Autumn darter (Red dragonfly) usually lives near water like rice fields and ponds. But in summer, it moves to cool, high mountains to get away from the heat.

• Then, when it cools down in autumn, it comes back to the water.
• It is so pretty to watch big groups of Autumn darter (Red dragonfly) flying together as they come down from the mountains.

How Long Do They Live?

Autumn darter (Red dragonfly) hatches from an egg and grows in the water as a nymph for about 1 year.

• Then, near the start of summer, it comes out of the water and turns into a grown-up dragonfly.
• Once it becomes a grown-up, it lives for about a few months.

How to choose colors: Make a bright red color!

The body of the Autumn darter (Red dragonfly) is a very pretty red.

• Whole body: Let's color it mainly with a bright red. If you mix a little orange or yellow into the red base, it looks like light is shining on it. That makes it look more real!
• Eyes: Color the cute black eyes carefully to make the face look lively.
• Wings: The wings are clear. If you add just a little color with light blue or light gray, they will look shiny.

How to make it look 3D: Think about light and shadows!

The body of the Autumn darter (Red dragonfly) is round. To show this, let's think about light and shadows.

• Shadowy places: Color the bottom of the body or the base of the wings with a slightly darker color, like dark red. Coloring these deep parts makes it look 3D!
• Sunlit places: Leave a lighter color near the middle of its back. This makes it look like light is hitting it, and it will look even more real!

Tips to enjoy your coloring page!

• Express yourself freely!
• You do not have to use real colors. You can color it any way you like! What kind of Autumn darter (Red dragonfly) do you want to see? A blue dragonfly body or rainbow wings sound like fun, too!
• Try adding a background!
• Where is the Autumn darter (Red dragonfly) flying? If you draw an autumn sky or a field of pampas grass, your picture will come to life even more!