Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum)
Species
Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum). Male. Taken at Radley Lakes, Oxon., on July 11th 2019.
Male. Taken at Radley Lakes, Oxon., on July 11th 2019.
(1/125th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum). Male. Taken at Whelford Pools, Gloucs, on June 14th 2017.
Male. Taken at Whelford Pools, Gloucs, on June 14th 2017.
(1/1250th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum). Imm. male. Taken at Standlake Common, Oxon., on June 20th 2018.
Imm. male. Taken at Standlake Common, Oxon., on June 20th 2018.
(1/800th sec at f14. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum). Female. Taken at Ardley Quarry, Oxon., on June 1st 2019,
Female. Taken at Ardley Quarry, Oxon., on June 1st 2019,
(1/320th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum). Female. Taken near Montmorillon, France on June 29th 2010.
Female. Taken near Montmorillon, France on June 29th 2010.
(1/160th sec at f9. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum). Pair in cop. Taken at Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon., on June 12th 2023.
Pair in cop. Taken at Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon., on June 12th 2023.
(1/640th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

Wing span: 70-82 mm; Body length: 44-50 mm

A medium-sized dragonfly, with the abdomen tapering evenly from S2-3. Females and immatures are pale, yellowish brown with two bold lines running along the length of the abdomen. The wings are clear, have a yellow costa and a very dark brown or black pterostigma. The males develop a blue pruinescence on the abdomen darkening to the rear with with S8-10 becoming black. Their eyes are very dark green. Females retain their colour and markings, though they become greyish-brown with age.

The main distribution of this species is in England. It is also found in Ireland and south Wales.

Its prefered habitat is larger standing or slow-flowing waters, generally open and often with un-vegetated margins. It occurs in brackish waters and can tolerate high fish densities. It is a good colonist of new sites, especially while open margins persist.

Eggs are laid in flight. They hatch after five or six weeks and the larvae live partially hidden by bottom debris. They emerge after two or three years. The main flight period is June and July.

Males characteristically perch horizontally on exposed surfaces. They fly fast and low, skimming the water surface, while defending their territories. Mating can occur in flight or on land.

A locally common species.

Sightings

25-Jul-2023 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (3)
17-Jul-2023 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (4)
26-Jun-2023 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (1)
25-Jun-2023 : Standlake Common, Oxon (2)
23-Jun-2023 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (6)
16-Jun-2023 : Whelford Pools, Glos (8)
12-Jun-2023 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (3)
02-Jun-2023 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (7)

19-Aug-2022 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1f)
09-Aug-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
02-Aug-2022 : Aston, Oxon (2)
29-Jul-2022 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (4)
22-Jul-2022 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (10m,1f)
04-Jul-2022 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (1)
01-Jul-2022 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (2)
15-Jun-2022 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (2)
10-Jun-2022 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (10)
07-Jun-2022 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (1f)
02-Jun-2022 : Aston, Oxon (1f)

11-Aug-2021 : Mortimer, Berks (1)
14-Jul-2021 : Bernwood Forest, Bucks (1)
14-Jul-2021 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (4)
12-Jul-2021 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (4)
11-Jul-2021 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1)
08-Jul-2021 : Whelford Pools, Glos (4m,3f)
25-Jun-2021 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (2)
24-Jun-2021 : Parsonage Moor, Oxon (2m,1f)
15-Jun-2021 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (2)
14-Jun-2021 : Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon (1tenm)
13-Jun-2021 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (10+)
12-Jun-2021 : Bernwood Meadows, Bucks (1m)
07-Jun-2021 : Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon (2ten)

10-Aug-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
05-Aug-2020 : Mortimer, Berks (1f)
21-Jul-2020 : Culham, Oxon (1)
12-Jul-2020 : Banbury, Oxon (1m)
11-Jul-2020 : Standlake Common, Oxon (1f)
10-Jul-2020 : Parsonage Moor, Oxon (1f)
06-Jul-2020 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
24-Jun-2020 : Standlake Common, Oxon (3m,2f)
20-Jun-2020 : Radley Lakes, Oxon (10+)
08-Jun-2020 : Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon (1m)
07-Jun-2020 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1f)
05-Jun-2020 : Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon (1)
02-Jun-2020 : Culham, Oxon (3m)
30-May-2020 : Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon (1)
29-May-2020 : Parsonage Moor, Oxon (1m,1f)
29-May-2020 : Abingdon, Oxon (1ten)
26-May-2020 : Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon (1f)

29-Aug-2019 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)