Orthetrum coerulescens (Keeled Skimmer)

Another one of our prunes again (abdomen covered in blue pruinosity) but with no black tip to the abdomen, this time.

O.coerulescens usually does not seem to sport a pruinose thorax but one can develop with age, perhaps more so in the more southerly extents of the range. With a pruinose thorax, distinguishing O. coerulescens from O. brunneum can get tricky. This id/comparison chart may help though there remain times when overlapping specifications get frustrating. Genitalia determine them but that requires a hand specimen and lens. 😉 See my more complete discussion here in Orthetrum conundrum.

Id Notes

  • long yellow pterostigma
  • pale antehumeral stripes
  • mature ♂ – uniformly blue pruinose abdomen
  • ♀ – golden yellow abdomen, thin black dorsal line and dark cross bars near segment bases
male
immature male
female
in cop ovipositing flight

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