Orthetrum caledonicum

Blue Skimmer at Bruce, ACT

Orthetrum caledonicum at Bruce, ACT - 23 Dec 2016
Orthetrum caledonicum at Bruce, ACT - 23 Dec 2016
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Identification history

Orthetrum caledonicum 23 Dec 2016 HarveyPerkins
Orthetrum caledonicum 23 Dec 2016 HarveyPerkins
Anax papuensis 23 Dec 2016 ibaird

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User's notes

Photographed at rest. Also seen flying over nearby dam.

3 comments

HarveyPerkins wrote:
   24 Dec 2016
Hi Ian, this is actually a female Blue Skimmer. Incongruous, huh!
ibaird wrote:
   24 Dec 2016
OK. I wondered whether it might be because there were many blue (skimmer) males flying and I saw them mating with yellow dragonflies. I stand corrected.
HarveyPerkins wrote:
   24 Dec 2016
Immature (newly emerged) males are also yellow, but they have longer and slightly differently shaped anal appendages. The characteristic blue pruinescence comes with maturation. And females can also develop the blue pruinescence - just to confuse things!

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Additional information

  • 25mm to 50mm Animal size

Species information

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