Fiery Skimmer
Scientific Name: Orthetrum villosovittatum
Other Common Names: Bog Skimmer Dragonfly
Species documented in 1868 by Brauer.
Description
A medium sized dragonfly with males having a bright red body. The females have a diferent body colouring of grey to green. They grow up to 75mm in length. The bodies of this family are distinctly shorter than the wingspan.
Larvae of this species are grey and covered in hairs. Spines occur halfway across the back.
Can be quite common in urban areas, and of course forested areas/streams/wetlands, etc.
Diet
Miscellaneous
The species was found at Middle Creek in Victoria (Hawking and New, 2002).
Found in:
NSW,NT,QLD,VIC,
References/Bibliography:
Australian Museum, 2007. Wildlife of Sydney – Fact File – Fiery Skimmer, Museum. Available from: <http://www.faunanet.gov.au/wos/factfile.cfm?Fact_ID=219> [Accessed 8th February 2007]
CSIRO, 2004. Orthetrum villosovittatum. CSIRO. Available from: <http://www.ento.csiro.au/aicn/name_s/b_2996.htm> [Accessed 8th February 2007]
Department of Environment and Water Resources, 2007. Australian Faunal Directory, Australian Government. Available from: <http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi- bin/abrs/fauna/details.pl?pstrVol=ODONATA;pstrTaxa=752;pstrChecklistMode=2> [Accessed 8th February 2007]
J. H. Hawking & T. R. New, 2002. Interpreting dragonfly diversity to aid in conservation assessment: lessons from the Odonata assemblage at Middle Creek, north-eastern Victoria, Australia, Journal of Insect Conservation. Issue 6. pp 171 -178.