Black-tailed Skimmer

Orthetrum cancellatum

The Black-tailed Skimmer is a beautiful dragonfly with a black tip on its tail. It loves to fly over ponds and lakes, showing off its bright colors and graceful movements.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Black-tailed Skimmer has a robust body. Adult males are striking with a powdery pale blue abdomen and a distinct black tip, while females and immature males are yellowish-brown with a dark stripe. All have clear wings with a dark spot near the tip.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyLibellulidaeGenusOrthetrum

Black-tailed Skimmer

Interesting facts

Black-tailed Skimmers are like natural bug zappers, helping to control mosquito populations!

Dragonfly larvae can live for several years underwater, shedding their skin many times as they grow.

These ancient insects have been flying for over 300 million years, even before dinosaurs!

They form a 'mating wheel' in the air, a special shape to lay their eggs safely in the water.

Special abilities

Black-tailed Skimmer has huge compound eyes that help them spot tiny flying insects from far away, even behind them.

Black-tailed Skimmer can fly forwards, backwards, and hover because of their powerful, independently moving wings, making them super agile hunters.

Black-tailed Skimmer larvae can breathe underwater and have a unique extendable jaw that helps them ambush other small aquatic creatures.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 70-80 mm
Size: 44-50 mm
Lifespan: 30-60 days
Flight Speed: 30-60 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Agile hunters of small flying insects, both as aquatic larvae and aerial adults.

Age differences: Larvae hunt underwater, ambushing aquatic invertebrates, while adults are aerial predators of flying insects.

Primary Foods

mosquitoes
midges
flies
small butterflies
aphids

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

eaten by

European Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis

Kingfishers are fast birds that can catch adult dragonflies.

eaten by

European Perch

Perca fluviatilis

Fish in ponds often feast on young dragonfly larvae.

hunts

Common House Mosquito

Culex pipiens

Black-tailed Skimmers are expert hunters of mosquito adults.

eaten by

Common Frog

Rana temporaria

Frogs are opportunistic predators that will eat adult skimmers.

Traits

Aerial

Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.