Orthetrum brunneum - Southern Skimmer - L'Orthétrum brun

Description

Mature males are a deep, powder blue whereas the females are brown. Unlike its relative O. cancellatum, the blue colour extends throughout the thorax and abdomen. Found by streams, ponds and lakes normally but I have seen this species near to the River Orb in Languedoc.

Male, stream near Chateau de Grézan, Laurens (34), 28th May 2005

Face-on photo of male, Chateau de Grézan, Laurens (34), 28th May 2005

Female, ovipositing in shallows of stream near Chateau de Grézan, Laurens (34), 28th May 2005

Observations

14/07/2004   2 males flying by the River Orb nearHérépian, Hérault (34).

28/05/2005   Male and female observed mating and ovipositing on a stream near the Chateau de Grezan, Laurens (34). Male flew over the female, guarding her, while she dipped eggs into shallow water.

31/05/2005   Pair observed ovipositing on Le Verdus stream near St-Guilhem-le-Desert (34)

01/06/2005   A few males and an ovipositing female seen on the River Mare at St-Etienne-d'Estrechoux (34)

22/06/2006   Solitary male at Plan d'Eau, Lunas (34)

10/07/2008   2 males and a female ovipositing at the Plan d'eau near Lunas

09/06/2009   3-10 males at the La Peyne stream near to the Barrage des Olivettes.

16/06/2009   A sinfle male by the River Orb at Hérépian.