Orthetrum caledonicum

Orthetrum caledonicum, the blue skimmer, is a common Australian dragonfly in the family Libellulidae.

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.

Gallery

• Adult in Margaret River, Western Australia
  Adult in Margaret River, Western Australia
• Male with hind wing damage viewed from the side
  Male with hind wing damage viewed from the side
• Female with some pale pruinescence on her tail
  Female with some pale pruinescence on her tail
• Face of male
  Face of male
• Covered in dew
  Covered in dew
• Mating pair, male is upright
  Mating pair, male is upright
• Male showing colouration near wingtips
  Male showing colouration near wingtips
• Young male before his tail turns blue
  Young male before his tail turns blue
• Young male showing his true colours
  Young male showing his true colours
• Female
  Female
• Photo of female wings
  Photo of female wings
• Illustration of wings of male
  Illustration of wings of male

External links

• Brisbane Insects and Spiders
• CSIRO fact file