Orthetrum serapia

Orthetrum serapia
Male, Cairns, Australia
Female
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Infraorder:	Anisoptera
Family:	Libellulidae
Genus:	Orthetrum
Species:	O. serapia
Binomial name
Orthetrum serapia Watson, 1984 [2]

Orthetrum serapia, the green skimmer, ^[3] is a freshwater dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. ^{[4] [5]} The serapia species is present in Australia, the Philippines, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. ^[6] It inhabits a wide range of still and sluggish waters, often shallow. ^[3] In Australia it ranges from the top end of the Northern Territory to about Mackay in central Queensland. ^[3]

Description

Orthetrum serapia is a medium-sized dragonfly with a wingspan of 60-85mm. Its wings are clear except for a small dark spot at the base of the hindwing. The thorax is greenish to greyish yellow with black markings. The abdomen is black with pale yellow or pale green markings. Orthetrum serapia appears very similar to Orthetrum sabina and can be confused where the range of the two overlaps in north-eastern Australia. ^[1]

Gallery

• 
  Male side view
• 
  Male dorsal view
• 
  Female face
• 
  Female wings
• 
  Male wings

See also

• List of Odonata species of Australia

References

1. Hawking, J. (2020). "Orthetrum serapia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020 e.T163566A83373271. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T163566A83373271.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
2. Watson, J.A.L. (1984). "A second Australian species in the Orthetrum sabina complex (Odonata: Libellulidae)". Journal of the Australian Entomological Society. 23 (1): 1–10 [8]. doi:10.1111/j.1440-6055.1984.tb01896.x.
3. Theischinger, G; Hawking, J (2006). The Complete Field Guide to Dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood Vic.: CSIRO Publishing. p. 268. ISBN   978-0-64309-073-6.
4. Watson, J. A. L. (2012). "Species Orthetrum serapia Watson, 1984". Australian Faunal Directory . 23. Australian Biological Resources Study: 1–10. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
5. Schorr, Martin; Paulson, Dennis. "World Odonata List". Slater Museum of Natural History. University of Puget Sound . Retrieved 1 March 2017.
6. Watson, J.A.L.; Theischinger, G.; Abbey, H.M. (1991). The Australian Dragonflies: A Guide to the Identification, Distributions and Habitats of Australian Odonata. Melbourne: CSIRO. p. 278. ISBN   0-643-05136-8.

External links

 Media related to Orthetrum serapia at Wikimedia Commons

 Data related to Orthetrum serapia at Wikispecies