Orthetrum caledonicum

Orthetrum caledonicum, the blue skimmer[3], is a common Australian dragonfly in the family Libellulidae.[4][5]

Blue skimmer
Male
Female

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Orthetrum
Species:
O. caledonicum
Binomial name
Orthetrum caledonicum
(Brauer, 1865)[2]

Males have a powder blue thorax and abdomen pruinescent blue when mature. The females are brownish grey in colour while the teneral are yellow with black markings. They are medium in size, with a body length of 4.5 cm (2 in) and a wingspan of 7 cm (3 in).

The species is widespread throughout mainland Australia and extending to Tasmania. It is also found in New Guinea, New Caledonia, Loyalty Islands and Lesser Sunda Islands. It inhabits a range of still and flowing water habitats including temporary waters.[3]

  • Adult in Margaret River, Western Australia
  • Male with hind wing damage viewed from the side
  • Female with some pale pruinescence on her tail
  • Face of male
  • Covered in dew
  • Mating pair, male is upright
  • Male showing colouration near wingtips
  • Young male before his tail turns blue
  • Young male showing his true colours
  • Female
  • Photo of female wings
  • Illustration of wings of male
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References
  1. Dow, R.A. (2017). "Orthetrum caledonicum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T83369732A83383908. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T83369732A83383908.en.
  2. Brauer, Friedrich (1865). "Dritter Bericht über die auf der Weltfahrt der kais. Fregatte Novara gesammelten Libellulinen". Verhandlungen der Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien (in German). 15: 501–512 [505] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  3. Theischinger, Gunther; Hawking, John (2006). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood Vic.: CSIRO. p. 266. ISBN 0643090738.
  4. "Species Orthetrum caledonicum (Brauer, 1865)". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  5. Schorr, Martin; Paulson, Dennis. "World Odonata List". Slater Museum of Natural History. University of Puget Sound. Retrieved 1 March 2017.

Media related to Orthetrum caledonicum at Wikimedia Commons

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