Epaulet Skimmer
(Orthetrum chrysostigma)

Orthetrum chrysostigma takes its scientific name from a small yellow patch at the base of its hindwing, which in the field is not the most readily identifiable feature. More importantly, the male's abdomen is slightly waisted, which it never is in similar-looking species like O. brunneum and O. coerulescens. Males and females also have a whitish patch on the side of the thorax, which gives the species its common name, although this patch may become less prominent with age. The species' preferred habitat are the still or slow-flowing, quiet backwaters of large rivers, where the males perch (typically on sandy ground) and wait for the females to come to the water. The Epaulet Skimmer is essentially an African species which in Europe only occurs in the extreme South-West and South-East.

For an overview of the Epaulet Skimmer's distribution in Europe, hover your mouse pointer over the map symbol .
With the authors' permission we have based this map on data published in Kalkman et al. (2010).
Legend: Red = Occurs, White = Doesn't occur; Purple = Extinct; Yellow = Vagrant.

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