Southern Skimmer

Orthetrum brunneum

''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 millimetres 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.
Orthetrum brunneum Orthetrum brunneum, imature male Orthetrum brunneum,Southern Skimmer,anisoptera,biodiversity,insecta,insects,libellulidae,odonata

Appearance

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 millimetres .
Orthetrum brunneum Orthetrum brunneum, immature male, dorsal view Orthetrum brunneum,Southern Skimmer,anisoptera,biodiversity,insecta,insects,libellulidae,odonata

Naming

*''Orthetrum brunneum'' var. ''brunneum''
⤷ ''Orthetrum brunneum'' var. ''cycnos''

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderOdonata
FamilyLibellulidae
GenusOrthetrum
SpeciesO. brunneum
Photographed in
Bulgaria
Greece
Netherlands
Portugal