Banded Skimmer
Orthetrum brachiale
Salient Features 4
Size: 43-47mm; Wingspan74-82mm
Mature ♂︎ most similar to bold skimmer and only distinguishable by secondary genetalia.
♀ and young ♂︎ of both these species have a double cell row in the rspl loop, have a large buff pterostigma and pale subcostal ax veins.
The metepimeral carina is edged with black.
The patterning on the sides of the abdomen of s5-10 is diagnostic and the cerci is black and not white.
Julia skimmer has a black pterostigma and a single cell row in the rspl loop.
Sources and Credits
- (c) i_c_riddell, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by i_c_riddell
- (c) Robert Taylor, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Robert Taylor
- (c) Nico Vromant, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Nico Vromant
- (c) Grant Reed, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
iNat Map
| 1. country | Botswana, Namibia |
|---|---|
| 2. ecoregion | Etosha, Kalahari, Karstveld Sink Holes, Namib Coastal, Okavango Floodplains, Southern Kalahari, Southern Temperate Highveld, Upper Zambezi Floodplains, Zambezi Lowveld |
| 3. body length | large, medium |
| 4. dominant body colour - male | blue, blue & black |
| 5. dominant body colour - female | yellow & black |
| 6. wing markings - extent | none |
| 7. wing markings - colour | none |
| 8. pterostigma colour | pale |
| 9. typical wing position | open |
