- Orthetrum brunneum
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Orthetrum brunneum 
Orthetrum brunneum, male Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Hexapoda Class: Insecta Order: Odonata Family: Libellulidae Genus: Orthetrum Species: O. brunneum Binomial name Orthetrum brunneum
(Fonscolombe, 1837)Synonyms - Libellula brunnea Fonscolombe, 1837
Orthetrum brunneum, the Southern Skimmer, is a species of 'skimmers' belonging to the family Libellulidae. This 'skimmer' is present in most of Europe.
The adults grow up to 40–45 millimetres (1.6–1.8 in) long. Their dimensions on average are larger than in Orthetrum coerulescens. They can be encountered from mid June through late August in the immediate vicinity of quiet rivers or close to stagnant and shallow waters, laying on a well sunny ground. Their life cycle lasts two or three years.
The thorax and the abdomen are pale blue in males, yellowish-brown or greyish-brown in females. The middorsal line is black. The wings are hyaline, with yellow or pale brown pterostigma. The wingspan reaches 66–70 millimetres (2.6–2.8 in).
Subspecies
- Orthetrum brunneum var. brunneum (Fonscolombe, 1837)
- Orthetrum brunneum var. cycnos (Sélys, 1848)
External links
Categories:- Libellulidae
- Animals described in 1837
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