Males red, females yellow
Fiery Skimmer Orthetrum villosovittatum is a medium-sized dragonfly with a wingspan of 60–85 mm. One of the more common species in Brisbane, Fiery Skimmers are often seen at rest and will come to rest quite near people if they sit still at the water’s edge along a creek. Its range is from the Moluccas, New Guinea and neighbouring islands as well as Australia. They have distinctly broadened abdomens and their bodies are distinctively shorter than their wing span. Males are bright red, females brown yellow. The male’s eyes are blue tinged and the abdomen narrowed, a way to tell it from the Scarlet Percher. Males are territorial and will often return to the same or a nearby spot. The females can often be seen flicking eggs into the water, sometimes while guarded by males. These dragons perch on vegetation at 45 degrees rather than on the ground like other skimmers. This species ranges from Victoria through eastern New South Wales and Queensland, north inland Queensland, the Cape York Peninsula and north Northern Territory in Australia. The female is yellow when newly emerged and become reddish brown with age. We are confident this was a female Fiery Skimmer because it (and others nearby) were seen in tandem (mating) with male Fiery Skimmers.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Photo: Robert Whyte
Photo: Robert Whyte
The black head and thorax makes identification easy in mature males. Photo: Robert Whyte
This photo shows the Fiery Skimmer perched. Photo: Robert Whyte
Newly emerged female is yellow. Photo: Robert Whyte
