Insects Active during the day

Black-tailed Skimmer

Orthetrum cancellatum

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A master of the sunny shoreline, the Black-tailed Skimmer is famous for its powder-blue color and its unique habit of sunbathing on warm rocks and garden paths.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Body length: 45–55 mm (1.8–2.2 in); Wingspan: 70–85 mm (2.7–3.3 in)

palette

Colors

Males have a powder-blue abdomen with a distinct black tip; females are golden-yellow or brown with two black 'ladder' stripes.

visibility

Key Features

Sky-blue abdomen with black segments at the very tip (males)
Two black longitudinal stripes on a yellow abdomen (females)
Clear wings with small, dark wing spots (pterostigmata)
Habit of resting on bare ground or stones rather than vegetation

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern Active during the day

brightness_5

Peak hours 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

calendar_month

Season May to August

restaurant

Diet A carnivorous aerial predator that hunts small flying insects, including flies, gnats, mosquitoes, and occasionally smaller damselflies.

park

Habitat Large, open water bodies such as lakes, ponds, and gravel pits, particularly those with bare, sunny banks and minimal overhanging vegetation.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Black-tailed Skimmer Live?

The Black-tailed Skimmer is a widespread species native to the Palearctic region, ranging across almost all of Europe and eastward through Central Asia to China. It is also found along the Mediterranean coast of North Africa. While it thrives in the warm southern regions of its range, it has steadily expanded its presence northward into Scandinavia and the British Isles over recent decades, becoming a common sight in lowland wetlands.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

10 Countries

15.5M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

GB United Kingdom FR France DE Germany ES Spain IT Italy PL Poland Russia CN China Turkey Morocco

eco

iNaturalist / Verified observation data

View on iNaturalist open_in_new

Explore more Insects arrow_forward

Behavior

The Black-tailed Skimmer is a highly energetic and territorial dragonfly often found 'skimming' just inches above the water's surface. Unlike many other dragonflies that prefer to perch on reeds or twigs, this species has a distinctive habit of basking on bare, open ground, flat stones, or wooden jetties. These sun-warmed surfaces help them maintain the high body temperature required for their powerful, darting flight.

Males are fiercely defensive of their shoreline territories, frequently engaging in high-speed aerial chases to drive off rivals. They are ambush predators, often returning to the exact same sun-baked perch after a successful hunting sortie. While they are wary and quick to fly when approached, they can be remarkably consistent in their choice of basking spots, making them a rewarding subject for patient observers.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To successfully capture a Black-tailed Skimmer on your backyard or trail camera, focus your efforts on the ground rather than the air. These dragonflies love 'basking' on flat, warm surfaces. Position your camera about 6 to 12 inches off the ground, aiming it at a flat stone, a patch of bare earth, or a wooden garden path near a water source. Because they are creatures of habit, a male will often return to the exact same rock dozens of times a day to sun himself between territorial patrols.

Dragonflies are visual hunters and aren't attracted to traditional food baits. However, you can 'set the stage' by placing a piece of dark slate or a weathered wooden plank in a sunny, wind-sheltered spot near your pond. This creates a high-contrast backdrop that makes the male's blue abdomen or the female's yellow markings pop in photos. Ensure the camera is positioned so the sun is behind you to avoid lens flare and to fully illuminate the iridescent wings.

Since dragonflies move with incredible speed, use the highest shutter speed or 'burst' mode available on your device. If your AI camera has a 'Small Animal' or 'Insect' detection mode, ensure it is enabled. The best time for filming is mid-day when the sun is highest; this is when their metabolism is most active and their colors appear most vibrant. Be mindful of moving grass in the background, as the high sensitivity required to trigger on a dragonfly may result in many false-positive videos if the wind picks up.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Black-tailed Skimmer.

Broad-bodied Chaser

Much broader, flatter abdomen and dark brown triangular patches at the base of the wings.

Keeled Skimmer

Smaller and lacks the distinct black tip on the abdomen; usually found near bogs or acidic water.

Southern Skimmer

The male's blue coloration extends further toward the head, and it lacks the heavy black 'ladder' markings seen on female Black-tailed Skimmers.

Browse all Insects arrow_forward

Frequently Asked Questions

They are strictly diurnal and sun-loving, reaching peak activity during the hottest part of the day, typically between 10 AM and 4 PM, when they can maintain the high body temperature needed for flight.

The best way to attract them is by providing a sunny pond with clear, open edges. Adding flat 'basking stones' or wooden decking near the water's edge provides them with the perfect spots to rest and survey their territory.

They are generalist predators that catch other insects in mid-air. Their diet consists mostly of small flies, midges, and mosquitoes, making them a very beneficial insect to have around a garden pond.

Yes, they are highly adaptable and frequently colonize suburban garden ponds, canals, and urban park lakes, provided there is enough sunlight and open shoreline for basking.

While both have blue males, the Black-tailed Skimmer is slimmer and has a black tip on its abdomen. The Broad-bodied Chaser is much wider (flat-looking) and has distinctive dark brown patches at the base of all four wings.

Record Black-tailed Skimmer at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo