Keeled Skimmer
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Suborder:	Anisoptera
Family:	Libellulidae
Genus:	Orthetrum
Species:	O. coerulescens
Binomial name
Orthetrum coerulescens (Fabricius, 1798)

The Keeled Skimmer, Orthetrum coerulescens, is a species of European dragonfly.

This species resembles the Black-tailed Skimmer but is slimmer and the male has no black tip. Females and immature males lack the black abdominal pattern. The pterostigma is orange and the thorax usually bears pale stripes. It breeds mainly in peat bogs and flies (in the UK) from June to September.

[edit] Behaviour

This dragonfly is quite rare, but locally common. Its typical habitat is acidic heath land, where it is often seen alongside Golden-Ringed Dragonflies. Its flight is quite skittish, with frequent hovering, and it lands often. It can fly quite a distance from water, despite its seemingly weak flight. When it perches, the wings are held forward.

[edit] See also

• List of British dragonflies

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