- Orthetrum caledonicum
-
Blue Skimmer 
Top view of an adult male in Victoria Park, Sydney. Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Hexapoda Order: Odonata Suborder: Anisoptera Family: Libellulidae Genus: Orthetrum Species: O. caledonicum Binomial name Orthetrum caledonicum
(Linnaeus, 1758)
The Blue Skimmer, Orthetrum caledonicum, is a common Australian dragonfly.
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.
External links
Media related to Orthetrum caledonicum at Wikimedia Commons
This article related to dragonflies is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
