# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Black-tailed Skimmer Dragonfly ![Black-tailed Skimmer](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Black-tailed_skimmer_%28Orthetrum_cancellatum%29_female_Belgium.jpg&width=800) Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black-tailed_skimmer_%28Orthetrum_cancellatum%29_female_Belgium.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Orthetrum ## 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 - **Amazing Eyesight:** Black-tailed Skimmer has huge compound eyes that help them spot tiny flying insects from far away, even behind them. - **Acrobatic Flight:** Black-tailed Skimmer can fly forwards, backwards, and hover because of their powerful, independently moving wings, making them super agile hunters. - **Underwater Predator:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Dragonflies are harmless and fun to watch, but it's best to look without touching. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black-tailed Skimmer? Compare wing shape and resting posture, where the eyes sit, body markings and the tail segments. Males and females can look very different in color. Dragonfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Black-tailed Skimmer's wingspan? 70-80 mm ### How big is Black-tailed Skimmer? 44-50 mm ### How long does Black-tailed Skimmer live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Black-tailed Skimmer fly? 30-60 km/h ### What does Black-tailed Skimmer eat? Agile hunters of small flying insects, both as aquatic larvae and aerial adults. ### Where is Black-tailed Skimmer usually found? Wetlands ### How does Black-tailed Skimmer hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Schlosspark Nymphenburg (München)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nymphenburg-palace-park-munich) — Bayern, DE · Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Black-tailed Skimmer: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-tailed-skimmer)