Dragonflies, Cyprus (1 Viewer)

[Andy Adcock]

Had a short walk around some local fields, very hot and dry but I found a few bits so would be grateful of any ID help.

First three no clue but, blue lower eyes should narriw the first down to just two species I think?

Broad Scarlet (ignore my label) and Keeled Skimmer for the other two?

 

[David_]

I would say Red-veined Darter for 1 and 3 and Common darter for 2
Agree on Keeled Skimmer and Broad Scarlet

 

[ApusApus]

#1 & #3 are S. fonscolombi Red-veined Darter
#2 is S. striolatum Common Darter
#4 is correct Broad Scarlet
#5 looks like O. brunneum Southern Skimmer to me!


Shane

 

[Farnboro John]

#1 & #3 are S. fonscolombi Red-veined Darter
#2 is S. striolatum Common Darter
#4 is correct Broad Scarlet
#5 looks like O. brunneum Southern Skimmer to me!


Shane

I considered that briefly, but surely we are looking at a large yellow pterostigma and not a small brown one? Plus, I'm only seeing that single row of cells below Rspl, not two.

John

 

[David_]

#5 looks like O. brunneum Southern Skimmer to me!

After looking it up in my field guide I have to agree, has a pale blue face

 

[ApusApus]

I considered that briefly, but surely we are looking at a large yellow pterostigma and not a small brown one? Plus, I'm only seeing that single row of cells below Rspl, not two.

John

I was going by Dijkstra who defines the colour of the frons as diagnostic for O. coerulescens and it is never pale blue! Also, the markings on top of the thorax look better for O. brunneum.


Shane

 

[Farnboro John]

I was going by Dijkstra who defines the colour of the frons as diagnostic for O. coerulescens and it is never pale blue! Also, the markings on top of the thorax look better for O. brunneum.


Shane

Funnily enough so was I (Dijkstra 2006 illus Lewington), but (and I recognise the strong light is a problem) I don't see a pale blue frons. Shadow at the side but basically white. Same light issue arises with the thorax markings but the cells are structural and the colour and size of the pterostigma are also hard to argue with.

John

 

[ApusApus]

Funnily enough so was I (Dijkstra 2006 illus Lewington), but (and I recognise the strong light is a problem) I don't see a pale blue frons. Shadow at the side but basically white. Same light issue arises with the thorax markings but the cells are structural and the colour and size of the pterostigma are also hard to argue with.

John

Great minds think alike but again quoting Dijkstra 2nd edition 2020, the pterostigma should not be used as an indication of identity as it is not fully reliable! I am not saying it is not O. coerulescens but on balance of the features showing it looks more like O. brunneum to me.


Shane

 

[pdwinter]

1. Violet Dropwing (Trithemis annulata) female [black legs, no black down side of frons, pattern on side of abdomen]
2. Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) female
3. Southern Skimmer (Orthetrum brunneum) immature male
4. Scarlet Darter / Broad Scarlet
5. Southern Skimmer (Orthetrun brunneum male)

I've adjusted the photos (1,2,3 and 5) to bring down the highlights which makes it easier

 

[Andy Adcock]

Thanks for this fellas, way above my level of experience!

 

[David_]

I’ve got a (maybe stupid) question about the posture of the Violet Dropwing in the first photo: It seems like Dropwings are the only dragonflies I have ever seen photos of in this posture (I haven‘t seen a a dropwing in real life yet). Is this just a coincidence or could it be used as an ID feature?

 

[Scridifer]

I’ve got a (maybe stupid) question about the posture of the Violet Dropwing in the first photo: It seems like Dropwings are the only dragonflies I have ever seen photos of in this posture (I haven‘t seen a a dropwing in real life yet). Is this just a coincidence or could it be used as an ID feature?

Not a stupid question at all David, but the answer is no I'm afraid! I have seen Darters posing like this, it is used to combat high temperatures.

Chris

 

[David_]

it is used to combat high temperatures

Thank you! Explains why I have never seen this posture in Germany (even though summers are getting hotter here) and as Dropwings are from more southern countries the likelihood of posing like this would be higher

 

[pdwinter]

Obelisk posture - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

A composite pic attached

 

[David_]

Thanks for the Link. Interesting to know