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Flora & Fauna (media)
Stor Blåpil (Orthetrum cancellatum)    Linnaeus (1758)    Libeller (Libellulidae)    BTSK    24821
Black-tailed Skimmer (gb)   Libélula Azul (es)   Större Sjötrollslända (se)  
Measurements:
HW:35-40mm L:44-50mm
Flight period:
JFMAMJJASOND 
se
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.
Life stages:
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.
Status:
Denmark: Common and widespread. On Vestamager the most common species in the flight period.
Comment:
Very common on Amager. It's the same every year, that they fly in large numbers in the open terrain, but also inside the forest near clearings and on sunlit paths.

Female eye color very variable, bluish, greenish, brownish.
Black-tailed Skimmer 404    (2 photos)
2020-07-09    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♂
Rather common in the area around Pinseskoven.



Black-tailed Skimmer 410    (2 photos)
2020-07-11    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♂
Pinseskoven.

Immature.





Black-tailed Skimmer 500    (1 photos)
2021-06-08    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♀
Aging because of the bright yellow colors of the abdomen. The mature females becomes darker.

One the most common dragonflies on Amager now.




Black-tailed Skimmer 668    (1 photos)
2022-05-22    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♀
Pinseskoven.

Female by the separate appendages. Young individual, by principle, being one of the first I see this year.




Black-tailed Skimmer 1152    (1 photos)
2022-06-29    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♀




Black-tailed Skimmer 1150    (2 photos)
2022-07-16    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♂




Black-tailed Skimmer 1151    (2 photos)
2022-07-16    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♂




Black-tailed Skimmer 1088    (3 photos)
2022-08-13    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♀
Pinseskoven.

Mature female looking all dark from a distance. I only saw this animal today.




Black-tailed Skimmer 1427    (1 photos)
2023-05-26    Hedeland (nature trail), Denmark

Imago ♂
South side of water holes along Herredsfogedvej.

Young. My first this year.




Black-tailed Skimmer 1620    (1 photos)
2023-06-08    Allgunnens Naturreservat (Kalmar), Sweden

Imago ♂




Black-tailed Skimmer 1548    (2 photos)
2023-06-15    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♂
Teneral. Enghøj.

Many present today over the lake, and then this teneral animal just getting started.




Black-tailed Skimmer 1676    (1 photos)
2023-06-24    Herlufsholmskoven, Denmark

Imago ♂
Suseåen ved Herlufsholm.

A single male landed in what was unquestionable Blue Chaser territory. Separated by the dark-green eyes and lack of the black patches at the base of the hingwings.




Black-tailed Skimmer 1785    (1 photos)
2023-07-14    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago ♀
Skovfogedmarken.

Mature female consuming a fly.




Black-tailed Skimmer 1818    (1 photos)
2023-07-18    Kongelundsområdet, Denmark

Imago ♀
Skovfogedmarken.

Dark and old. Two were hanging out in the clearing today with few other dragonflies.




Black-tailed Skimmer 2029    (1 photos)
2023-07-27    Skær Sø (Egtved), Denmark

Imago ♂
An unusual individual with black markings up the abdomen, thus resembling a Blue Chaser [Spidsplettet Libel].



Black-tailed Skimmer 2189    (1 photos)
2023-08-13    Hvidovre Strandenge, Denmark

Imago ♂

Leading toward to end of the season, and a single animal of this species was all I saw today. But in good conditions, not at all tired of living in this world, I imagine.




Black-tailed Skimmer 2291    (1 photos)
2023-08-30    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago ♀

A late female looking for ...




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