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.