Orthetrum caledonicum

Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum)

Inhabits wide range of still and flowing waters, including temporary waters

© 2011 DECCW, NSW; 2021 Ian Endersby and DragonflyPix.com

• Libellulidae: Key couplet 1 of 67

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• ● Distal antenodal of forewing complete, both costal and subcostal sections present

• Libellulidae: Key couplet 2 of 67

• 
• ● Anal loop present

• Libellulidae: Key couplet 9 of 67

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• ● Anal loop well developed, generally stocking-shaped, usually closed at tip

• Libellulidae: Key couplet 14 of 67

• ○ Not as above

• Libellulidae: Key couplet 15 of 67

• 
• ● Base of hindwing triangle at or proximal to arculus
  ○ Top of frons, if metallic, dully so

• Libellulidae: Key couplet 20 of 67

• ○ Smaller dragonflies, hindwing up to 40 mm long
  ○ Wings patterned or hyaline

• Libellulidae: Key couplet 21 of 67

• 
• ● Subtriangle of forewing with three or more cells

• Libellulidae: Key couplet 24 of 67

• 
• ● Forewing triangle crossed

• Libellulidae: Key couplet 27 of 67

• ○ Hind margin of eye uniformly curved

• Libellulidae: Key couplet 28 of 67

• 
• ● Some double cells between IR3 and Rspl
  
  ⇒ genus: Orthetrum

• Libellulidae: Key couplet 29 of 67

• ○ Hindwing clear at base

• Libellulidae: Key couplet 34 of 67

• 
• ● Yellow with black markings, side of synthorax yellow, sutures narrowly lined black
  ○ Thorax and abdomen of male becoming pruinescent blue when mature, the mature female slightly pruinescent
  
  ⇒ species: Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum)