Black-Tailed Skimmer
(Orthetrum cancellatum)
A dragonfly in the Anisoptera suborder, it is one of the easiest species to spot.
Distribution
The species is spread throughout Europe, the Mediterranean region, and Asia over to Kashmir. In Italy, it is seen in all regions and is one of the most common species, spread throughout the country.
Description
An easy-to-recognize medium-sized dragonfly. Males have a greenish thorax and opaque blue abdomen, which gradually becomes darker and blacker towards the tip. Young females are a pretty yellow colour with long black bands, gradually becoming darker with age. They are rather easy to recognize since this is the only species in Italy to have black spots on the front of the wings (pterostigma).
Habitat
They favour large, stagnant bodies of water. They first hatch in May and can be seen until September. After moulting, the adults move away from the water and spread throughout the surroundings where they can rest on hedges, bushes, and stalks of grass while they wait for their wings and exoskeleton to harden.
Observation in the Torbiera Reserve
They are very common in the Reserve from May to September, and are one of the easiest species to see while walking along the walkways.
