A female Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum) dragonfly alights on a twig in Cyprus

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Orthetrum brunneum, the southern skimmer, is a species of 'skimmers' belonging to the family Libellulidae. This 'skimmer' is present in most of Europe. The adults grow up to 40–45 millimetres (– in) long. Their dimensions on average are larger than in Orthetrum coerulescens. They can be encountered from mid June through late August in the immediate vicinity of quiet rivers or close to stagnant and shallow waters, lying on a well sunny ground. Their life cycle lasts two or three years. The thorax and the abdomen are pale blue in males, yellowish-brown or greyish-brown in females. The middorsal line is black. The wings are hyaline, with yellow or pale brown pterostigma. The wingspan reaches 66–70 millimetres (– in).

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Size: 3617px × 2583px
Location: Akrotiri gravel pits, Cyprus
Photo credit: © Niall Ferguson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: akrotiri, brunneum, cyprus, dragonfly, female, orthetrum, skimmer, southern