Fiery Skimmer
Scientific Name: Orthetrum villosovittatum
Other Common Names: Bog Skimmer Dragonfly
Species documented in 1868 by Brauer.
Description
A medium sized dragonfly with
males having a bright red body. The females have a diferent body colouring of grey to green.
They grow up to 75mm in length. The bodies of this family are distinctly shorter than the
wingspan.
Reproduction/Lifecycle
Larvae of this species are grey and covered in hairs. Spines occur halfway
across the back.
Habitat
Can be quite common in urban areas, and of course forested
areas/streams/wetlands, etc.
Diet
Miscellaneous
The species was found at Middle Creek in Victoria (Hawking and New, 2002).
Found in:
NSW,NT,QLD,VIC,
References/Bibliography:
Australian Museum, 2007. Wildlife of Sydney - Fact
File - Fiery Skimmer, Museum. Available from:
<http://www.faunanet.gov.au/wos/factfile.cfm?Fact_ID=219> [Accessed 8th February 2007]
CSIRO, 2004. Orthetrum villosovittatum. CSIRO. Available from:
<http://www.ento.csiro.au/aicn/name_s/b_2996.htm> [Accessed 8th February 2007]
Department of Environment and Water Resources, 2007. Australian Faunal
Directory, Australian Government. Available from: <http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-
bin/abrs/fauna/details.pl?pstrVol=ODONATA;pstrTaxa=752;pstrChecklistMode=2> [Accessed 8th
February 2007]
J. H. Hawking & T. R. New, 2002. Interpreting dragonfly
diversity to aid in conservation assessment: lessons from the Odonata assemblage at Middle
Creek, north-eastern Victoria, Australia, Journal of Insect Conservation. Issue 6. pp 171
-178.
