Orthetrum villosovittatum

Fiery skimmer
	A male fiery skimmer, Cairns
	Female
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Clade:	Pancrustacea
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Odonata
Suborder:	Anisoptera
Superfamily:	Libelluloidea
Family:	Libellulidae
Genus:	Orthetrum
Species:	O. villosovittatum
Binomial name
	Orthetrum villosovittatum; (Brauer, 1868)
Synonyms
	Libellula villosovittata Brauer, 1868 ; Orthetrum bismarckianum Ris, 1898 ; Orthetrum fenicheli Förster, 1898 ;

Orthetrum villosovittatum, known as the fiery skimmer, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. Its range is from the Moluccas, New Guinea and neighbouring islands as well as Australia. In Australia it is found in Victoria through eastern New South Wales and Queensland, north inland Queensland, Cape York Peninsula and north Northern Territory. It is a common species through most of its range.

Orthetrum villosovittatum is a medium-sized dragonfly with a wingspan of 60–85 mm. Mature males have dark greyish to greenish-brown thoraxes and red abdomens, with the abdomen constricted at segment four. Young males have an amber and black colouring. Females are ochre-coloured.

Orthetrum villosovittatum inhabits boggy seepages, streams and swamps.

Etymology

The genus name Orthetrum is derived from the Greek ὀρθός (orthos, "straight") and ἦτρον (ētron, "abdomen"), referring to the parallel-sided abdomen of the genus.

The species name villosovittatum is derived from the Latin villosus ("shaggy" or "hairy") and vittatus ("banded" or "striped"), referring to the hairy dark streak on the side of the thorax.

Gallery

Female face on
Male face on
Female
Male
Young males are an orange colour
Female side view
Male side view
Young male side view
Resting with wings held forward
Female looking to deposit her eggs in a pond
Male tail
Mating pair
Female wings
Male wings

References

↑ Dow, R.A. (2017). "Orthetrum villosovittatum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T83369839A83383913. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T83369839A83383913.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
1 2 Brauer, F. (1868). "Neue und wenig bekannte vom Herrn Doct. Semper gesammelte Odonaten". Verhandlungen der Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien (in German). 18: 167–188 [167] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
1 2 Paulson, D.; Schorr, M.; Abbott, J.; Bota-Sierra, C.; Deliry, C.; Dijkstra, K.-D.; Lozano, F. "World Odonata List". OdonataCentral. University of Alabama. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
1 2 3 Theischinger, Gunther; Hawking, John (2007). The complete field guide to dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood, Vic.: CSIRO Publishing. ISBN 978-0-643-09073-6.
↑ "Species Orthetrum villosovittatum (Brauer, 1868)". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
↑ 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.
↑ Theischinger, Gunther; Endersby, Ian (2009). Identification Guide to the Australian Odonata (PDF). Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW. p. 231. ISBN 978-1-74232-475-3.
1 2 Endersby, Ian; Fliedner, Heinrich (2015). The Naming of Australia's Dragonflies. Eltham, Victoria, Australia: Busybird Publishing. ISBN 9781925260625.

[Dow_2017_villosovittatum-1] Dow, R.A. (2017). "Orthetrum villosovittatum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T83369839A83383913. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T83369839A83383913.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.

[Brauer_1868-2] 1 2 Brauer, F. (1868). "Neue und wenig bekannte vom Herrn Doct. Semper gesammelte Odonaten". Verhandlungen der Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien (in German). 18: 167–188 [167] – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.

[WOL-3] 1 2 Paulson, D.; Schorr, M.; Abbott, J.; Bota-Sierra, C.; Deliry, C.; Dijkstra, K.-D.; Lozano, F. "World Odonata List". OdonataCentral. University of Alabama. Retrieved 13 April 2026.

[Field_Guide-4] 1 2 3 Theischinger, Gunther; Hawking, John (2007). The complete field guide to dragonflies of Australia. Collingwood, Vic.: CSIRO Publishing. ISBN 978-0-643-09073-6.

[AFD-5] "Species Orthetrum villosovittatum (Brauer, 1868)". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Biological Resources Study. 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2017.

[Watson_et_al._1991-6] 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.

[Theischinger_Endersby_2009-7] Theischinger, Gunther; Endersby, Ian (2009). Identification Guide to the Australian Odonata (PDF). Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW. p. 231. ISBN 978-1-74232-475-3.

[Endersby_&_Fliedner_2015-8] 1 2 Endersby, Ian; Fliedner, Heinrich (2015). The Naming of Australia's Dragonflies. Eltham, Victoria, Australia: Busybird Publishing. ISBN 9781925260625.