Orthetrum villosovittatum

Orthetrum villosovittatum, known as the fiery skimmer,^[3] is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae.^[4][5] Its range is from the Moluccas, New Guinea and neighbouring islands as well as Australia.^[6] In Australia it is found in Victoria through eastern New South Wales and Queensland, north inland Queensland, Cape York Peninsula and north Northern Territory.^[7] It is a common species through most of its range.

Fiery skimmer
A male fiery skimmer, Cairns
Female
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Infraorder:	Anisoptera
Family:	Libellulidae
Genus:	Orthetrum
Species:	O. villosovittatum
Binomial name
Orthetrum villosovittatum (Brauer, 1868)[2]

Orthetrum villosovittatum is a medium-sized dragonfly with a wingspan of 60–85 mm.^[3] Mature males have dark greyish to greenish-brown thoraxes and red abdomens, with the abdomen constricted at segment four. Young males have an amber and black colouring. Females are ochre-coloured.

Orthetrum villosovittatum inhabits boggy seepages, streams and swamps.^[3]

Gallery

• 
  Female face on
• 
  Male face on
• 
  Female
• 
  Male
• 
  Young males are an orange colour
• 
  Female side view
• 
  Male side view
• 
  Young male side view
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  Resting with wings held forward
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  Female looking to deposit her eggs in a pond
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  Male tail
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  Mating pair
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  Female wings
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  Male wings

References

1. Dow, R.A. (2017). "Orthetrum villosovittatum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T83369839A83383913. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T83369839A83383913.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
2. Brauer, F. (1868). "Neue und wenig bekannte vom Herrn Doct. Semper gesammelte Odonaten". Verhandlungen der Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien (in German). 18: 167–188 [167] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
3. Theischinger, Gunther; Hawking, John (2007). The complete field guide to dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood, Vic.: CSIRO Publishing. ISBN 0-643-09073-8.
4. "Species Orthetrum villosovittatum (Brauer, 1868)". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
5. Schorr, Martin; Paulson, Dennis. "World Odonata List". Slater Museum of Natural History. University of Puget Sound. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
6. Watson, J.A.L.; Theischinger, G.; Abbey, H.M. (1991). The Australian Dragonflies: A Guide to the Identification, Distributions and Habitats of Australian Odonata. Melbourne: CSIRO. p. 278. ISBN 0643051368.
7. Theischinger, Gunther; Endersby, Ian (2009). Identification Guide to the Australian Odonata (PDF). Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW. p. 231. ISBN 978 1 74232 475 3.