Orthetrum coerulescens - Keeled Skimmer
Male
Female
Pair in tandem
Exuvia (male, top view)
Description
Length: 40-44mm
The abdomen appears quite slim and has a pronounced dorsal keel.
The wings have a straw yellow costa and yellow or brown pterostigma.
At rest, the wings are often held well forward.
The thorax has pale yellow ante-humeral stripes which fade with age in the male.
The males develop a blue pruinescence over the whole length of the abdomen.
Its eyes are blue-grey.
Females have a pale, yellowish-brown abdomen with a medial black line.
Habitat
Pools and streams in wet heathland sites are favoured.
May be found resting low in heather at such sites.
Status and Distribution
Locally common. Patchy distribution, mainly western Britain and Ireland.
Distribution map from the National Biodiversity Network Gateway (opens in new window).
Similar species
Could be confused with Black-tailed Skimmer or Scarce Chaser.