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Dragonflies

Adversaeschna brevistyla
Archaeosynthemis orientalis
Austroaeschna atrata
Austroaeschna flavomaculata
Austroaeschna inermis
Austroaeschna multipunctata
Austroaeschna parvistigma
Austroaeschna pulchra
Austroaeschna sigma
Austroaeschna subapicalis
Austroaeschna unicornis
Austrogomphus amphiclitus
Austrogomphus australis
Austrogomphus cornutus
Austrogomphus guerini
Austrogomphus melaleucae
Austrogomphus ochraceus
Austropetalia tonyana
Austrothemis nigrescens
Cordulephya pygmaea
Crocothemis nigrifrons
Dendroaeschna conspersa
Diplacodes bipunctata
Diplacodes haematodes
Diplacodes melanopsis
Eusynthemis brevistyla
Eusynthemis guttata
Eusynthemis virgula
Hemianax papuensis
Hemicordulia australiae
Hemicordulia tau
Hemigomphus gouldii
Hemigomphus heteroclytus
Nannophlebia risi
Nannophya australis
Nannophya dalei
Notoaeschna sagittata
Orthetrum caledonicum
Orthetrum villosovittatum
Parasynthemis regina
Procordulia jacksoniensis
Spinaeschna tripunctata
Synthemis eustalacta
Telephlebia brevicauda
Tramea loewii


Blue Skimmer

Orthetrum caledonicum

Orthetrum caledonicum Distribution Male Blue Skimmer Dragonfly Male Blue Skimmer Dragonfly
Image: 768×448, 104KB
Date & Time: 24 January 2006 12:35
Place: Braeside Park

Female Orthetrum caledonicum Female Orthetrum caledonicum
Image: 540×480, 43KB
Date & Time: 23 November 2005 15:20
Place: Candlebark Park, Templestowe

Newly Emerged Orthetrum caledonicum Newly Emerged Orthetrum caledonicum
Image: 640×376, 39KB
Date & Time: 14 January 2006 10:55
Place: Candlebark Park, Templestowe
This is a common and widespread dragonfly, and can be found around a variety of water environments. It can also be found in nearby islands, such as New Guinea. The mature males have a dark head and thorax and a pruinescent blue tail with a black tip. Females and teneral males are yellow with black markings, though mature females can be somewhat pruinescent too.

Although somewhat similar to a few other species in color, its markings are quite distinguishable. It will fly low over water and readily lands on or low to the ground. I've found them to be quite hard to photograph, as they seem fairly alert.


Page Updated: 5-Apr-2007
© copyright 2012, Reiner Richter.
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