Keeled Skimmer
Encyclopedia
The Keeled Skimmer, Orthetrum coerulescens, is a species
of Europe
an dragonfly
. This species resembles the Black-tailed Skimmer
but is slimmer and the male has no black tip. Females and immature males lack the black abdominal pattern. The pterostigma
is orange and the thorax
usually bears pale stripes.
It breeds mainly in peat bogs and flies (in the UK) from June to September including places like Chudleigh Knighton Heath.
. Its flight is quite skittish, with frequent hovering, and it lands often. It can fly quite a distance from water, despite its seemingly weak flight. When it perches, the wings are held forward.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
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...
an dragonfly
Dragonfly
A dragonfly is a winged insect belonging to the order Odonata, the suborder Epiprocta or, in the strict sense, the infraorder Anisoptera . It is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong transparent wings, and an elongated body...
. This species resembles the Black-tailed Skimmer
Black-tailed Skimmer
The Black-tailed Skimmer, Orthetrum cancellatum, is a European and Asian dragonfly. It occurs nearly all over Europe except northern UK and Scandinavia, to the east the range extends to Kashmir and Mongolia....
but is slimmer and the male has no black tip. Females and immature males lack the black abdominal pattern. The 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,...
is orange and the thorax
Thorax
The thorax is a division of an animal's body that lies between the head and the abdomen.-In tetrapods:...
usually bears pale stripes.
It breeds mainly in peat bogs and flies (in the UK) from June to September including places like Chudleigh Knighton Heath.
Behaviour
This dragonfly is common in central and southern Europe. It is locally common in western Britain and Ireland. Its typical habitat is acidic heath land, where it is often seen alongside Golden-Ringed DragonfliesGolden-ringed Dragonfly
The Golden-ringed Dragonfly is a large, striking dragonfly and the longest British species, the only one of its genus to be found in Britain. -Identification:...
. Its flight is quite skittish, with frequent hovering, and it lands often. It can fly quite a distance from water, despite its seemingly weak flight. When it perches, the wings are held forward.