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Flora & Fauna (media)
Black-tailed Skimmer
(Orthetrum cancellatum)
(dragonfly)
24821
Stor Blåpil (dk)
Libélula Azul (es)
Större Sjötrollslända (se)
Measurements:
HW:35-40mm L:44-50mm
Flight period:
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| eu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
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.
Distribution:
Most of Europe; absent northern Scandinavian pen.
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. Forages readily away from water, even in forests. But still with sun-exposed patches where to rest.
The female drops the eggs directly into the water.
In Denmark the larvae take 2-3 years to mature.
The female drops the eggs directly into the water.
In Denmark the larvae take 2-3 years to mature.
Status:
Denmark: Common and widespread. On Vestamager the most common species in the flight period.
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404
(2 photos)
2020-07-09 Kalvebod Fælled, Amager, Denmark Imago. Male. Rather common in the area around Pinseskoven. |
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410
(2 photos)
2020-07-11 Kalvebod Fælled, Amager, Denmark Imago. Male. Pinseskoven. Immature. |
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500
(1 photos)
2021-06-08 Kalvebod Fælled, Amager, Denmark Imago. Female. Aging because of the bright yellow colors of the abdomen. The mature females becomes darker. One the most common dragonflies on Amager now. |
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553
(1 photos)
2021-07-21 Store Hareskov, Sjælland, Denmark Imago. Female. |
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668
(1 photos)
2022-05-22 Kalvebod Fælled, Amager, Denmark Imago. Female. Pinseskoven. Female by the separate appendages. Young individual, by principle, being one of the first I see this year. |
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1152
(1 photos)
2022-06-29 Kalvebod Fælled, Amager, Denmark Imago. Female. |
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1150
(2 photos)
2022-07-16 Kalvebod Fælled, Amager, Denmark Imago. Male. |
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1151
(2 photos)
2022-07-16 Kalvebod Fælled, Amager, Denmark Imago. Male. |
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1088
(3 photos)
2022-08-13 Kalvebod Fælled, Amager, Denmark Imago. Female. Pinseskoven. Mature female looking all dark from a distance. I only saw this animal today. |
Female eye color very variable, bluish, greenish, brownish.