Orthetrum testaceum

{{short description|Species of dragonfly}}

{{Speciesbox

| name = Orthetrum testaceum

| image = Scarlet skimmer (Orthetrum testaceum testaceum) male B.jpg

| image_caption = male O. t. testaceum
Sabah, Borneo

| genus = Orthetrum

| species = testaceum

| authority = (Burmeister, 1839)

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

}}

Orthetrum testaceum, common names Crimson Dropwing or Orange Skimmer. is an Asian freshwater dragonfly species belonging to the family Libellulidae.

Subspecies

Subspecies include:[http://www.catalogueoflife.org/annual-checklist/2011/search/all/key/orthetrum+testaceum/match/1 Catalogue of Life]

  • Orthetrum testaceum soembanum Foerster, 1903
  • Orthetrum testaceum testaceum (Burmeister, 1839)

Distribution and habitat

This common species is widespread throughout India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.Wilson, K.D.P. 2013. Orthetrum testaceum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 03 July 2015. These dragonflies may occur in various areas with standing waters, as in ponds, drains, marshes, around rivers, streams, lakes, and gardens.[http://defworld.freeoda.com/Species%20Details/Orthetrum%20testaceum.html Dragonfly on Stamps]

Description

File: Libellulidae - Orthetrum testaceum.webm

Orthetrum testaceum can reach a body length of about {{cvt|43|-|48|mm}}, with a hindwing of {{cvt|34|-|38|mm}} (in males). In these large dragonflies the thorax of adult males is orange-brown, with a vermilion red abdomen. The eyes are light brownish. The wings are smoky transparent, with an amber patch at the base. In adult females and in recently emerged males the body is olive-green to brown in colour with black markings and a clear base of the hindwings.

These dragonflies are rather similar to Orthetrum chrysis, but O. testaceum is more reddish, while O. chrysis has a reddish brown thorax.[https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/dna/organisms/details/751 The DNA of Singapore] Lee Kong Chian Natural History MuseumTang, H. B., L. K. Wang & M. Hämäläinen, 2010. A Photographic Guide to the Dragonflies of Singapore. Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University of Singapore, Singapore. 222 pp.E. A. Heinrichs [https://books.google.com/books?id=wOtMTN2zcNYC&dq=Orthetrum+testaceum+length&pg=PA131 Biology and Management of Rice Insects]

Biology and behavior

The males regularly perch near ponds, while the females usually fly to water only during mating season and egg-laying. In this case the males guard them by flying over them.

See also

References

{{Wikispecies}}

{{Commons}}

{{Reflist}}

  • Tol J. van - Odonata: Catalogue of the Odonata of the World.