| Common Name: | Black–headed Skimmer |
Distribution
Male
Female
Male
more photos
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| Scientific Name: | Crocothemis nigrifrons (Kirby, 1894) |
| Distribution: | Common along the east coast of Australia between Newcastle and Cairns and
also in northen NT, less common in inland Queensland and NT with additional occurrences in north-western WA and south-eastern SA.
Also found in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
Not known for Victoria (a possible larva was collected near Dargo)
but known a few kilometres west of the border and likely present. |
| Description: | Medium sized dragonfly.
Mature males have a black head and thorax whilst the abdomen is a deep blue.
Females and immature males are wholly yellow usually with a thin stripe along the top of the abdomen (tail)
— mature females can have a dull blue abdomen. |
| Similar Species: | Orthetrum
caledonicum has similar coloration but mature males of O. caledonicum have a paler blue abdomen,
paler face and thorax and a dark tip to the tail whilst females have significant black striping of the abdomen.
Male O. nigrifrons appear darker in flight than O. caledonicum.
Female Orthetrum villosovittatum (and possibly Orthetrum migratum) are very similar in appearance. |
| Habitat: | Inhabits a wide range of sluggish and still water, sometimes rivers. |
| Behaviour: | Males fly fairly low over water and perch frequently on flat surfaces such as rocks.
Both males and females also perch on vegetation near water either horizontally or hanging vertically. |
| Observations: |
I have observed large numbers of this species in south-east South Australia
where they appeared to flourish in slightly saline water. |
| Links & References: |
Wildiaries
Atlas of Living Australia
Brisbane Insects
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