Black-tailed Skimmer
Orthetrum cancellatum
The Black-tailed Skimmer is one of the most common and widespread dragonfly species in Europe. It prefers sunny, standing water bodies with sparsely vegetated shorelines, such as gravel pits or newly created ponds. While mature males develop a characteristic blue pruinosity on their abdomen, females and immature males are yellowish-brown with distinct black longitudinal stripes. The species is well-known for its territorial behavior, often perching on bare ground or stones near the water's edge.
Details
Identification
Male abdomen with blue pruinosity and black tip (segments 8-10); females yellowish-brown with two black longitudinal stripes; no dark basal spots on wings; pterostigma is black.
Social behavior
Territorial; males aggressively defend their perching sites on the shore against conspecifics and other dragonflies.
Diet
Both larvae and adults are predatory. Larvae feed on aquatic insects, small crustaceans, and tadpoles; adults hunt various flying insects.
Hunting strategy
Perch-and-wait predator; the dragonfly waits on a perch on the ground or stones and launches short hunting flights at passing prey.
Spawning substrate
Eggs are deposited directly into shallow water areas during flight through rhythmic dipping motions of the abdomen.
Overwintering
Overwintering occurs during the larval stage in the mud or among aquatic plants at the bottom of the water body.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important predator in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems; regulates insect populations.
Natural predators
Birds (e.g., Eurasian Hobby), larger dragonfly species, frogs, and spiders.
Competitor species
Other skimmers and chasers such as the Broad-bodied Chaser (Libellula depressa) or the Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens).
Ecosystem service
Biological pest control by consuming mosquitoes and other flying insects.
Threats
Succession and silting of pioneer water bodies; intensive fishery use of ponds; embankment and shore reinforcement.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
Black pterostigma; absence of dark basal wing spots (distinguishes from Libellula); anal appendages are black; the species lacks a white frons (distinguishes from Leucorrhinia).
Role in food web
Important predator in both benthic and terrestrial ecosystems; links aquatic and terrestrial food webs.
Protection & threats
Main threats
Natural succession (overgrowth of shores), intensive fishery use, loss of pioneer habitats due to the infilling of gravel pits.
Population trend
Stable; the species is widespread in Central Europe and partially benefits from anthropogenic water bodies.
Conservation measures
Maintenance and promotion of dynamic shore areas; creation of new water bodies; keeping pioneer habitats open through succession management.