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Species account
Black-tailed Skimmer
(Orthetrum cancellatum)
Linnaeus (1758)
Skimmers (Libellulidae)
BTSK
24821
Stor Blåpil (dk)
Libélula Centinela (es)
Större Sjötrollslända (se)
Synonyms: Libélula Azul (es)
Measurements:
To 44-50mm Ab 29-35mm Hw 35-41mm
Flight period:
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Identification:
A robust dragonfly with the abdomen laterally flattened, typical for the genus. But not as broad as on the Libellula species. And also lacks the black spots on the hind wing of these species. The leading edge of the forewing is pale.
When young the yellow base color shines through from a distance, and it is easy to identify the species by color and flight. But later it appears remarkably diverse when seen in flight, often leaving the impression, that some other (darker) species is in play.
The mature male is unique in Denmark with the combination of the blue abdomen with a black 'tail' toward the tip, about one fourth of the length of the abdomen. On the Keeled Skimmer (only in Jutland in Denmark) the black tail is much shorter, and the animal in general more narrow.
Female eye color very variable, bluish, greenish, brownish.
When young the yellow base color shines through from a distance, and it is easy to identify the species by color and flight. But later it appears remarkably diverse when seen in flight, often leaving the impression, that some other (darker) species is in play.
The mature male is unique in Denmark with the combination of the blue abdomen with a black 'tail' toward the tip, about one fourth of the length of the abdomen. On the Keeled Skimmer (only in Jutland in Denmark) the black tail is much shorter, and the animal in general more narrow.
Female eye color very variable, bluish, greenish, brownish.
Similar species:
Life stages:
The mating wheel is established in flight and the following mating takes place in vegetation along the shore or in bushes or trees. It takes about 15 minutes. The female then drops the eggs alone, from flight, lower over the water dipping her tail into the surface where there are few water plants. They hatch after 5-6 weeks and the larvae develop during 2-3 years. The transformation takes place close to the shore or up to 10 meters away and several meters above the ground in bushes or trees.
Distribution:
Most of Europe; absent northern Fennoscandinavia including most of Norway. Also present NW Africa and patchily from Turkey, Black Sea region, west Russia through the Middle East and C Asia to Mongolia and Amurland. In Denmark widespread in all regions.
Habitat:
In Denmark open terrain with lakes or water-bodies with scarce vegetation. Accepts brackish water. Also in mature broad-leaf forests. Very adaptable, but disappears from water bodies with too much vegetation.
Behavior:
Often prefers to sit on the sun-exposed ground, stones or low branches. Or deep into tall grasses when the conditions are less favorable - cooler and more windy.
Status:
LC(global)
LC(eu) LC(dk). In Denmark very common and widespread.
Comment:
