Is this a female Ground Skimmer? North Bangalore, India by a lakeside on 26th June. Thanks very much! (1 Viewer)

[rsriram9]

 

[pdwinter]

It looks like an immature male Crocothemis servilia (Scarlet Skimmer).

 

[rsriram9]

It looks like an immature male Crocothemis servilia (Scarlet Skimmer).

Thanks Paul. I did see the Scarlet Skimmer there.

 

[rsriram9]

It looks like an immature male Crocothemis servilia (Scarlet Skimmer).

Hi Paul, what would be the difference between the immature male and the female Crocothemis servilia? According to Wikipedia, India Biodiversity and some other sites the female looks like this. Thanks!

 

[pdwinter]

They will both look the same in colouration so you have to look at the appendages at the end of the abdomen (arrow in attached).
Male anisoptera (dragonflies rather than damselflies) have two upper appendages and one lower appendage and the appendages are usually close together. Females have just two upper appendages and they are usually quite widely spaced. Females can have (as in this species) an obvious ovipositor on the underside of S8/9/10 - an internet pic https://www.indianodonata.org/media_images/2016/182_1910-869-581ffca9525cf-1.jpg?583.
Males have secondary genitalia under S2/S3 which is sometimes easy to see but quite often the wings get in the way in a photograph.

 

[pdwinter]

Comparison of immature male and female Crocothemis erythraea - I don't have any C.servilia photos!

 

[rsriram9]

Comparison of immature male and female Crocothemis erythraea - I don't have any C.servilia photos!

Thanks so much Paul, this is super helpful!