Home / Othetrum albistylum (White-tailed Skimmer / Akkuyruklu Yusufcuk)
3/14

Othetrum albistylum (White-tailed Skimmer / Akkuyruklu Yusufcuk)

slideshow metadata Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
Othetrum albistylum (White-tailed Skimmer / Akkuyruklu Yusufcuk)


Othetrum albistylum (White-tailed Skimmer / Akkuyruklu Yusufcuk) [Female/Dişi] from Yaylagöne Göleti, Malkara, Tekirdağ - 15.07.2009.

White-tailled Skimmer (WtS) is very similar species to O. cancellatum (Black-tailled Skimmer) (BtS), with which it is found especially in the south-east, and as far west as France. However, it is sleeker, paler and more contrasting. Named for the contrasting white appendages of both sexes, but beware of occasional males with black appendages!.

WtS is as large as the BtS with a total length of 45-50mm (Abdomen length: 30-37mm with a hind wing spans of 33-38mm) but less robust, with a narrower abdomen. As with O. cancellatum, has black pterostigmas and two distinct lengthwise black stripes on the abdomen that disappear under pruinosity as the male ages, sixth (sometimes eighth) to tenth abdominal segments becoming black. It can be difficult to distinguish it in flight, but O. albistylum has the following features: .

(1) whitish appendages in both sexes; this can be indiscernible in the male, while the female's tenth abdominal segment is also white;.

(2) two contrasting milky bands on the sides of the thorax and a pale stripe running dorsally over the thorax between the wings;.

(3) ground colour of abdomen paler and the black lines on each segment slightly more curved;.

(4) mature male's pruinosity paler, almost white;.

(5) relatively larger pterostigma. .

The behaviour is like O. cancellatum, male often sits on open ground near the water, making very fast, low flights over the water. Its distribution is patchy, but the species is generally not uncommon, stretching to China and Japan. It is prefer open ponds and lakes and flights from the end of May to mid September. .

References: 1. Chinery, M. (1986). Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe, Collins, Glasgow, 320 pp. 2. Dijkstra K.-D. (2006). Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe including Western Turkey and noth-Western Africa. British Wildlife Publishing, Dorset, UK. 320 pp. 3. Beaton, G. (2007). Dragonflies and Damselflies of Georgia and the Soustheast. University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia, 355 pp.

Author Bayram GÖÇMEN
Created on Wednesday 15 July 2009
Posted on Friday 15 July 2011
Tags Tekirdağ, TURKEY / TÜRKİYE
Albums
Visits 9036