Epaulet Skimmer dragonfly

Afrikaans name: Epouletskepper

Female Epaulet Skimmer

Photo © Steven Herbert

Orthetrum chrysostigma

The Epaulet Skimmer dragonfly is around 42 mm in length and has a wingspan of around 65 mm. Males are a pale blue and females are yellowish-brown.

The Epaulet Skimmer is widely distributed and occurs from South Africa to southern Europe. It can be found over most of South Africa but is more common in the eastern regions.

They are normally found near water and it particularly likes stretches of open water that are bordered by rocky or sandy areas. These bodies of water can be located in a variety of habitats including moist lowland forests, dry shrubland and savanna.

These dragonflies feed on a variety of flying insects. They perch on rocks and vegetation from where they fly out fast over the water, or low vegetation, and return to their perch.

References and further reading

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 164

Sasol First Field Guide to Dragonflies of Southern Africa - Author: Warren and Vienessa Goodwin - Published: 0 - Page: 33

A Guide to the Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa - Author: Warwick and Michele Tarboton - Published: 2015 - Page: 156

For more info: Dragonflies and Damselflies

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