Sympetrum fonscolombii is a widespread and common species in much of central and southern Europe including most Mediterranean islands, North Africa, the Middle East, Mongolia, south-western Asia, including the Indian Subcontinent,[5] the Indian Ocean Islands and Sri Lanka.

From the 1990s onwards has increasingly been found in northwest Europe, including Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Britain and Ireland.

[1] It breeds in a wide range of habitats including marshes, lakes, ponds, permanent and seasonal rivers.

[8][6] Female are similar but the abdomen is ochre yellow,[8] not red, with two black lines along each side.

Sympetrum fonscolombii can be seen on the wing throughout the year around the Mediterranean and in the south of its range, however, its main flight period is May to October[8] and it is scarce during the winter months.

The eggs and larvae develop within a few months and S. fonscolombii unlike most other European dragonflies has more than one generation a year.