Orthetrum brunneum
Encyclopedia
Orthetrum brunneum, the Southern Skimmer, is a species of 'skimmers' belonging to the family Libellulidae
. This 'skimmer' is present in most of Europe
.
The adults grow up to 40–45 mm (1.6–1.8 ) long. Their dimensions on average are larger than in Orthetrum coerulescens. They can be encountered from mid June through late August in the immediate vicinity of quiet rivers or close to stagnant and shallow waters, laying on a well sunny ground. Their life cycle lasts two or three years.
The thorax and the abdomen are pale blue in males, yellowish-brown or greyish-brown in females. The middorsal line is black. The wings are hyaline, with yellow or pale brown pterostigma
. The wingspan reaches 66–70 mm (2.6–2.8 ).
Libellulidae
The skimmers or perchers and their relatives form the Libellulidae, the largest dragonfly family in the world. It is sometimes considered to contain the Corduliidae as the subfamily Corduliinae and the Macromiidae as the subfamily Macromiinae. Even if these are excluded , there still remains a...
. This 'skimmer' is present in most of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
The adults grow up to 40–45 mm (1.6–1.8 ) long. Their dimensions on average are larger than in Orthetrum coerulescens. They can be encountered from mid June through late August in the immediate vicinity of quiet rivers or close to stagnant and shallow waters, laying on a well sunny ground. Their life cycle lasts two or three years.
The thorax and the abdomen are pale blue in males, yellowish-brown or greyish-brown in females. The middorsal line is black. The wings are hyaline, with yellow or pale brown pterostigma
Pterostigma
The pterostigma is a cell in the outer wing of insects which is often thickened or coloured and so stands out from other cells. It is particularly noticeable in dragonflies, but present also in other insect groups, such as snakeflies, hymenopterans and megalopterans.The purpose of the pterostigma,...
. The wingspan reaches 66–70 mm (2.6–2.8 ).
Subspecies
- Orthetrum brunneum var. brunneum (Fonscolombe, 1837)
- Orthetrum brunneum var. cycnos (Sélys, 1848)