Black-headed skimmer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Black-headed skimmer
Male
Female
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Infraorder:	Anisoptera
Family:	Libellulidae
Genus:	Crocothemis
Species:	C. nigrifrons
Binomial name
Crocothemis nigrifrons (Kirby, 1894)
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The Crocothemis nigrifrons is a type of dragonfly. It is also known as the black-headed skimmer or blue-scarlet dragonfly. This amazing insect belongs to a family of dragonflies called Libellulidae.

You can find these dragonflies in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. They are quite common in many of these areas.

Meet the Black-headed Skimmer

Black-headed skimmers are easy to spot because of their bright colors. The male dragonflies are a striking blue and black. This makes them stand out in their natural habitat.

Female black-headed skimmers look different. They are usually yellow or brown. This color difference helps you tell them apart.

Where Do They Live?

These dragonflies love to live near water. You will often find them near still water, like ponds or lakes. They also like slow-moving water, such as quiet rivers or streams.

Their habitat is important for their life cycle. Dragonflies lay their eggs in or near water. The young dragonflies, called nymphs, live in the water before they become adults.

Images for kids

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  A young female black-headed skimmer.

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  A male black-headed skimmer.

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  An older drawing of Orthetrum nigrifrons, a previous name for this species.

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  Close-up of a female's wings.

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  Close-up of a male's wings.