Chris Brooks Photography
(www.dragonfly-images.co.uk)
Quick Identification Guide
Black Tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum)
Welcome to my quick identification guide for the Black Tailed Skimmer. These graphics are meant as a guide to the key identifying features of both the male and the female dragonflies.
The text section has been kindly written and supplied by Mr Ken Crick.
The male Black Tailed Skimmer
The species has clear wings with an all brown thorax and no antehumeral stripes. Abdominal segment 1 of a sexually mature male is charcoal coloured. Segments 2 to most of 7 are blue and segments 8 to10 are dark charcoal. The young but sexually mature male, has a slim yellow crescent, on each flank, of each blue segment; these gradually disappear with age.
The female Black Tailed Skimmer
The female is yellow with an irregular black line running down each side of the abdomen. Newly emerged males are similarly marked. Females darken with age. Those reaching a full life span become dark grey with a blue tint.
A Quick ID Guide
For a more complete species description, follow the link below to the Black Tailed Skimmer narrative.
Alternatively follow the link to the main species page.
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