The Violet Dropwing is one of the most widespread and common species in most of Africa, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula and southern Europe.
These dragonflies are called dropwings because of their habit of immediately lowering their wings after landing on a perch.
Males of this species are violet-red with red veins in the wings while females are yellow and brown.
Both sexes have red eyes.

A male. Parque da Cidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal, 6 June 2023