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Species account
Stor Blåpil
(Orthetrum cancellatum)
Linnaeus (1758)
Libeller (Libellulidae)
BTSK
24821
Black-tailed Skimmer (gb)
Libélula Centinela (es)
Större Sjötrollslända (se)
Synonyms: Libélula Azul (es)
Measurements:
To 44-50mm Ab 29-35mm Hw 35-41mm
Flight period:
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| 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.
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 solo flying female then drops the eggs over the shallow water dipping her tail into the surface where there are few water plants. The eggs hatch after 5-6 weeks and the larvae live at the bottom, either in-between rotten plant material or buried in the mud, and 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 in-between tall grasses when cooler and more windy.
- The larvae can endure longer periods in dried-out environments while buried in the mud.
- The larvae can endure longer periods in dried-out environments while buried in the mud.
Status:
LC(global)
LC(eu) LC(dk). In Denmark very common and widespread.
Comment:
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404
(2 photos)
2020-07-09 Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark Imago ♂ Rather common in the area around Pinseskoven. |
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410
(2 photos)
2020-07-11 Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark Imago ♂ Pinseskoven. Immature. |
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1151
(2 photos)
2022-07-16 Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark Imago ♂ |
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1150
(2 photos)
2022-07-16 Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark Imago ♂ |
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1427
(1 photos)
2023-05-26 Hedeland (nature trail), Denmark Imago ♂ South side of water holes along Herredsfogedvej. Young. My first this year. |
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1620
(1 photos)
2023-06-08 Allgunnens Naturreservat (Kalmar), Sweden Imago ♂ |
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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. |
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1676
(1 photos)
2023-06-24 Herlufsholmskoven, Denmark Imago ♂ Susåen 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. |
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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]. |
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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. |
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500
(1 photos)
2021-06-08 Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark Imago ♀ Young. 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 (nordsjælland), Denmark Imago ♀ |
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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. |
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1152
(1 photos)
2022-06-29 Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark Imago ♀ |
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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. |
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1785
(1 photos)
2023-07-14 Kongelundsområdet, Denmark Imago ♀ Skovfogedmarken. Mature female consuming a fly. |
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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. |
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2291
(1 photos)
2023-08-30 Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark Imago ♀ A late female looking for ... |