Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma)
Species
Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma). Male. Taken at Moheda Alta, Spain, on November 15th 2018.
Male. Taken at Moheda Alta, Spain, on November 15th 2018.
(1/1000th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma). Male. Taken at Moheda Alta, Spain, on November 15th 2018.
Male. Taken at Moheda Alta, Spain, on November 15th 2018.
(1/640th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma). Immature male. Taken at Barranco Cabras, Fuerteventura, on March 10th 2018.
Immature male. Taken at Barranco Cabras, Fuerteventura, on March 10th 2018.
(1/640th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma). Female. Taken at Moheda Alta, Spain, on November 15th 2018.
Female. Taken at Moheda Alta, Spain, on November 15th 2018.
(1/200th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

Wing span: 54 - 64 mm; Body length: 39 - 48 mm

Both sexes have a whitish patch on the side of the thorax, which gives the species its common name. The male's abdomen is pale blue. The female is yellowish-brown with dark side markings. Both sexes have yellowish-brown pterostigma.

This is essentially an African species. In Europe it is found around the coasts of southern Spain, Portugal and Turkey, and also on the Canary Islands.

Its preferred habitat is still or slow-flowing backwaters of large rivers.

In Europe it is on the wing from April to the end of August. In north Africa it may be on the wing year-round.

Males perch (typically on sandy ground) and wait for females to come to the water.

It is regarded as of Least Concern by the IUCN.

Sightings

15-Nov-2018 : Extremadura, Spain (5+)
15-Mar-2018 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands (2m)
10-Mar-2018 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands (1m)

05-Mar-2009 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands (1m,1f)