Keeled Skimmer Orthetrum coerulescens

Status | Photo | Distribution Maps Length: 36-46mm Wingspan: Male 57-63mm; Hindwing 28-34mm Larva: 17-23mm Males: Dark brown thorax with buff antehumeral stripes, which fade with age. When mature the abdomen is blue, except S1. Blue grey eyes. Wings have a yellow tint when immature which clear as the mature. Pale yellow costa and orange pterostigma. Blue grey eyes. Females: Dark brown thorax with buff antehumeral stripes. The abdomen is a yellow/brown colour with a thin dark keel line down the centre. Pale yellow costa and orange pterostigma. Behavior: Males have small territories observing them from the ground or low perches. Copulation occurs on the ground and can last anything from 2-60 minutes. Flight is fast and erratic with brief spells of hovering. Wings are held well forward when at rest. Females spend a lot of time resting in vegetation not far from water. Habitat: Acidic wet heath and peaty moorland sites typically with sphagnum mosses, frequents pools, runnels and streams. Flight Period National: Mid-may to late September, usually early June to late August. Yorkshire: Mid-June to early August.   Status Confined to VC62 where it appears to be present in suitable sites surrounding Fylingdales Moor.   <Previous Species | Species Index | Next Species>

Web Author: Paul Ashton - ©  Yorkshire Branch of the British Dragonfly Society 2005-2007 including all images unless otherwise stated. http://www.yorkshiredragonflies.org.uk