Orthetrum caledonicum
Species of dragonfly
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Orthetrum caledonicum, the blue skimmer,[4] is a common Australian dragonfly in the family Libellulidae.[5][3]
| Blue skimmer | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male | |
 | |
| Female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Odonata |
| Infraorder: | Anisoptera |
| Superfamily: | Libelluloidea |
| Family: | Libellulidae |
| Genus: | Orthetrum |
| Species: | O. caledonicum |
| Binomial name | |
| Orthetrum caledonicum | |
 | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
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.[4]
Etymology
The genus name Orthetrum is derived from the Greek ὀρθός (orthos, "straight") and ἦτρον (ētron, "abdomen"), referring to the parallel-sided abdomen of the genus.[6]
The species name caledonicum is named for New Caledonia, where the original specimens of the species were collected.[6]
Gallery
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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