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Blue skimmer facts for kids

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Blue skimmer
Orthetrum caledonicum male.jpg
Male
Orthetrum caledonicum 5270.jpg
Female
Conservation status
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Orthetrum
Species:
O. caledonicum
Binomial name
Orthetrum caledonicum
(Brauer, 1865)
Orthetrum caledonicum distribution map.svg
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The blue skimmer (scientific name: Orthetrum caledonicum) is a common Australian dragonfly. It belongs to the Libellulidae family, which includes many types of skimmer dragonflies.

These dragonflies are medium-sized. They grow to about 4.5 cm (2 in) long. Their wings can stretch up to 7 cm (3 in) wide.

Meet the Blue Skimmer

What They Look Like

Male blue skimmers are easy to spot. When they are fully grown, their bodies turn a beautiful powdery blue. This blue color covers their main body (thorax) and tail (abdomen).

Female blue skimmers look different. They are usually brownish-grey. Young blue skimmers, called tenerals, are yellow with black markings. They change color as they get older.

Where They Live

Blue skimmers live in many places. You can find them all over mainland Australia. They also live in Tasmania. Beyond Australia, they are found in New Guinea, New Caledonia, Loyalty Islands, and the Lesser Sunda Islands.

Their Favorite Spots

These dragonflies are not picky about where they live. They like many kinds of water. You can find them near still water, like ponds and lakes. They also live near flowing water, such as rivers and streams. Sometimes, they even live in temporary puddles that dry up later.

Gallery

  • Blue Skimmer Dragonfly

    Adult in Margaret River, Western Australia

  • Orthetrum caledonicum Gibb Creek

    Male with hind wing damage viewed from the side

  • Female Blue Skimmer (15922102205)

    Female with some pale pruinescence on her tail

  • Male Blue Skimmer face (15822768678)

    Face of male

  • Blue Skimmer wing (8670507976)

    Covered in dew

  • Blue Skimmers mating (15736335767)

    Mating pair, male is upright

  • Male Blue Skimmer flank (15302446583)

    Male showing colouration near wingtips

  • Dragonfly yellow black lateral (16122317265)

    Young male before his tail turns blue

  • Dragonfly yellow black dorsal closer (15502645773)

    Young male showing his true colours

  • Dragonfly yellow black female dorsal (15934939538)

    Female

  • Orthetrum caledonicum female wings (34249157413)

    Photo of female wings

  • Orthetrum caledonicum male 0217

    Illustration of wings of male

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Blue skimmer Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.