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Photography with cameras
Nikon D3x, Nikon D300, Canon 50D
Image editing with Photoshop |
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| | | | Black-lined skimmer | | The black-lined skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum), also called the black-tailed skimmer, is a species in the order dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata), the suborder dragonflies (Anisoptera), the superfamily Libelluloidea, the family skimmers (Libellulidae), the subfamily Libellulinae, and the genus Orthetrum. A scientific synonym for this species is Libellula cancellata. Subspecies of Orthetrum cancellatum are as follows: Orthetrum cancellatum cancellatum, Orthetrum cancellatum kraepelini and Orthetrum cancellatum orientale. The black-lined skimmer is widespread and common in Europe and the Palaearctic ecozone of Asia and North Africa. In Central Europe it is one of the most noticeable and common species of dragonfly. | | |
| | | | Adult Orthetrum cancellatum reach body lengths of about 50 mm. While both sexes are pale grey-green when they hatch, marked differences in colouration occur later on (sexual dimorphism). The females become a yellowish colour. With increasing age, this changes to brown and then darkens and they are finally olive to green in colour. The males are pale blue to grey blue. | | |
| | | | The thorax in both sexes is yellowish brown to olive-brown. The abdomen of the females isup to 34 mm in length and dark with a mesh-like pattern and 2 black bands running lengthwise. In older females the abdomen may turn blue (through coverage with wax). The 2nd to 7th abdominal segments of the older males (excreted by wax that adheres to the surface) are also a powdery blue. The abdomen of the males reaches lengths of 30 - 35 mm. Young males also have a lattice like pattern on the abdomen. The tip of the abdomen - 8th to 10th segment - darkens considerably after mating. | | |
| | | | The forewings are colourless and have a span of 75 - 100 mm. There is a black marking (Pterostigma) on the wing tips of both sexes. The anterior area and base of the wings are yellow in colour, often to the knot. In older females (by separated wax particles) there can be a weak blue pattern. The hind wings are 35 - 41 mm long and 2. 3 - 3. 5 mm wide. When sitting, the black-lined skimmer raises its 1st pair of legs on. | | |
| | | | The black-lined skimmer prefers rocky edges of water with many stones, sand pits and loose reeds or rushes or standing water (lakes, ponds, pools) or beaches. Adults are found from June to September. They live off insects. The black-lined skimmer establishes a territory and the males occasionally patrol this near the surface of the water. Competing species of dragonflies are systematically expelled from the area. The black-lined skimmer is very shy and always maintains a greater flight distance. Females usually remain hidden in the riparian vegetation and only rarely appear. They hunt in the evening and can only be observed flying in daylight during the mating season. Mating starts in the air and is completed after 5 - 10 minutes on a solid surface, on the ground or on plant parts. | | |
| | | The fertilized females lay 20 - 30 oblong eggs, about 0. 5 mm in length, immediately after mating. This is done near the water’s edge, in the presence of the males who keep watch. After oviposition the females are guided back to the riparian vegetation by the males, and mating occurs again. The grip of the female on the male is so strong during mating that the blue wax layer at the end of the male’s abdomen dissolves and the tip turns black. | | |
| | | After 2 - 3 weeks, the larvae hatch from the eggs. They live on the muddy, herbaceous ground near the banks of the water and feed on micro-organisms. The larvae are sepia-coloured, hairy, and 25 - 26 mm in length. The width of the body, at the 6th or 7th segment, is about 8 mm. The encrusted ocelli are at the front of the relatively small head. The antennae consist of 7 segments. The larvae overwinter twice in water and leave those on a plant stem, 2 to 3 years after they have hatched from their eggs. The new generation of black-lined skimmers hatch at the end of May. | | |
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| | Description of images / photos
Photography with Cameras
Nikon D3x, Nikon D300, Canon 50D
Image editing with Photoshop | | 1. | Black-lined skimmer - Top view | | 2. | Orthetrum cancellatum - Front view | | 3. | Black-lined skimmer - Male - Orthetrum cancellatum | | 4. | Orthetrum cancellatum - Female | | 5. | Black-lined skimmer - Female |
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| Frequent Queries: | | male black lined skimmer (3) | | orthetrum cancellatum (3) | | Black lined Skimmer (2) | | dragonfly head front view (2) | | skimmer insect black (1) | | female blacklined skimmer (1) | | skimmer dragonfly black tips of wings (1) |
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