Fiery Skimmer

Orthetrum villosovittatum

Male fiery skimmers are fiercely territorial, using their brilliant red bodies as visual warnings to ward off rival males from their preferred sunny perches.

Scientific name

Orthetrum villosovittatum

Taxonomy

Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Odonata › Libellulidae › Orthetrum

IUCN Red List status

Least Concern

Population trend

stable

Biome

wetland

Habitat

Slow-flowing rainforest streams, swampy creeks, and boggy seeps.

Diet

Carnivorous, preying on mosquitoes, flies, moths, and other small flying insects.

Range

Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands

Size

Wingspan of 60-70 mm, body length of 45-50 mm

Lifespan

1 to 2 years (mostly spent as aquatic larvae; adults live for 1 to 2 months)

Active

diurnal

Threats

Water pollution, habitat destruction from agricultural runoff, and clearing of riparian vegetation.

Safe to approach?

This species is completely harmless to humans. They do not possess a stinger and will only attempt to bite if handled roughly, which feels like a tiny, harmless pinch. Enjoy observing their spectacular, hovering flight from any distance. If skin contact occurs, no action is needed.

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.

Photo: Graham Winterflood, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist

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