Green skimmer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Green skimmer
Male, Cairns, Australia
Female
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification

The Orthetrum serapia, also known as the green skimmer, is a type of dragonfly that lives in freshwater areas. This dragonfly belongs to a family called Libellulidae. You can find the serapia species in several countries, including Australia, the Philippines, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.

Green skimmers like to live near calm or slow-moving water, often in shallow places. In Australia, they live in the northern parts, from the Northern Territory down to central Queensland, around Mackay.

What Does the Green Skimmer Look Like?

The Green Skimmer is a medium-sized dragonfly. Its wings can spread out about 60 to 85 millimeters wide. Its wings are clear, meaning you can see through them, except for a small dark spot at the bottom of its back wings.

Body Colors and Markings

The part of its body called the thorax (which is like its chest) is usually greenish or grayish-yellow. It has black patterns on it. The main part of its body, called the abdomen, is black with pale yellow or light green markings. The Green Skimmer looks very similar to another dragonfly called the Slender Skimmer (Orthetrum sabina). Sometimes, it can be hard to tell them apart in areas of north-eastern Australia where both types of dragonflies live.

Gallery

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  Male side view

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  Male dorsal view

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  Female face

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  Female wings

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  Male wings