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Male Epaulet Skimmer #3


Male Epaulet Skimmer #3
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 974 W: 3 N: 3088] (10784)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-23
Categories: Nature
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Arthropods from the Middle East [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-12-19 15:17
Viewed: 2332
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Orthetrum chrysostigma (Epaulet Skimmer) (Male)#2

Epaulet Skimmer is one of the tropical Africa's commonest dragonflies, extending to Rhodes, Cyprus, southern coastal Turkey and southern Spain. It is ubiquitous outside forests throughout Africa. Not uncommon in southern Iberia, the Canaries, coastal Turkey and adjacent Greek islands. However, I observed this species frequently in Lapithos (Cyprus). Usually easily distinguished by its 'epaulet': broad white badges bordered with black on each 'shoulder'. Total body length 39-48 mm, Abdomen length 26-33mm.

Epaulet Skimmer’s size is near O. brunneum (Southern Skimmer) and especially O. coerulescens (Keeled Skimmer). One of several similar species with a largely pruinose body in the mature male and a yellowish pterostigma. Diagnostic features are:
(1) abdomen rather slender and waisted near base; constricted between 3rd and 4th segments when seen from above;
(2) thorax with a conspicuous whitish stripe beneath each forewing distinctive white 'epaulet' bordered with black base, accentuated by black lines on both sides (note that this is obscured in old males);
(3) membranules (-roughly triangular opaque membrane on posterior side of the wing base, largest in hindwing-) are sooty and usually bordered by a small yellow patch. In other species, the hindwing base is generally clear.
The larger, broader-bodied and unwaisted O. brunneum and O. nitidinerve (Yellow-veined Skimmer) lack pale stripes on the thorax, and have whitish membranules. In the smaller O. coerulescens, the stripes lie more anteriorly and are less white. In the even smaller O. taeniolatum (Small Skimmer) there are three stripes on each side, and these are accentuated by a black line on only one side. Both smaller species are unwaisted and have grey-brown membranules. Hamule with a broad hook that dwarfs a small, but separate, lobe beside it.

In Turkey, said to perch rarely on the ground or rocks, and never in the obelisk position (in contrast to O. taeniolatum). Its habitat includes the larger streams and shallow still waters in open landscapes. Its flight season in Turkey, recorded from April to the end of August. In north-west Africa, up until November and suspected to be on the wing around the year. Apparently, the Cypriot form of the species is different in flight season as well as perching behaviour.

References:

1. Chinery, M. (1986). Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe, Collins, Glasgow, 320 pp.
2. Dijkstra K.-D. (2006). Field Guide to the Dragonflies of Britain and Europe including Western Turkey and noth-Western Africa. British Wildlife Publishing, Dorset, UK. 320 pp.
3. Beaton, G. (2007). Dragonflies and Damselflies of Georgia and the Soustheast. University of Georgia Press, Athens, Georgia, 355 pp.

*****************************

TFL and Have a nice weekend!
Cheers,

Bayram
Urfaust, tsesler, neusser0204, tanburi, milas, boomcat, zulfu has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To tsesler: :)boreocypriensis 1 12-19 23:28
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Critiques [Translate]

ciao Bayram..
thumb dont give justice to this capture.. it's full detailed and cool!! it's a beautiful capture! thanks
ciao Marco

  • Great 
  • bigil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 283 W: 38 N: 75] (2536)
  • [2008-12-19 16:21]

Wow, superbe prise de vu.
Bon travail.
Gilles

Günaydın Bayram Kardeşim,
mükemmmel bir diagonal compozisyon olmuş,
renkler ve netlik herzamanki gibi muhteşem,
ellerine ve gören gözlerine sağlık,
selamlar,
Taner,
beni hergün tekkeye gider gibi ziyatet etmekten usandın galiba;) bir kere de halldeyim şu işi dedin:);)

Merhaba Bayram Hocam
Yine muhteşem serinizden çok güzel bir örnek
İyi haftasonları
BURAK

Hello Bayram,
Wonderful, sharp exposure and excellent details.
The image is perfectly placed in the frame for a good, diagonal composition.

Best regards Siegfried

Selam Bayram Hoca,
Estetik açıdan harika böcekler.
Planörler belki de buradan esinlenmiştir.
Harika kompozisyon ve netlik

Selahattin E

  • Great 
  • ayse51 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2092 W: 144 N: 2110] (27563)
  • [2008-12-20 2:51]

merhaba bayram bey,her zamanki gibi mükemmel bir makro.Çapraz konum kompozisyonu daha da güzelleştirmiş.Tebrikler.Necla.

  • Great 
  • milas Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2841 W: 398 N: 3076] (34114)
  • [2008-12-20 5:21]

Merhaba Bayram bey...
Bu tür çekimlerde hep YARADAN ın mucizevi yaratışı, O nun varlığı ve büyüklüğü ile dersler çıkarmaya çalışırım, ne güzel bir yaratılış, şu kanatlardaki damarlardan kanı geçirip oraya hayat veren adeta Varlığına ispat edercesine gözümüze sokuyor...Güzel bir çalışma...selam va saygılarımla...

Merhaba Bayram, an other splendid dragonfly with fantastic details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Merhaba Bayram hoca,
Yine mükemmel netlikte güzel bir macro..
Renkler,detaylar çarpıcı. eline sağlık.
Selam,sevgiler.
Dr.Seyfettin Güner

Hi Bayram,
and one beauty more - I can't see enough of this wonderful dragons - and this specimen seems to love you, always a perfect model.
Thanks, I enjoy your shots very much, bye
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Tık tık yine ben :)tabii ki harika bir kare.Renkler süper,netlik süper,kompozisyon süper,her şey süper yani :)

Hello Bayram

Excellent macro shot of this insect!
Nice and natural colors!
Congratulations and TFS.
Sergio

hello Bayram,

nice shot of the dragon fly again.. well seen and taken.. tfs..

regards, terry

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 150 W: 0 N: 7] (44)
  • [2008-12-21 22:19]

Yine renkleri, alan derinliği, detayları ve bakış açısıyla harika bir makro çalışma hocam. Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 624 W: 0 N: 993] (4864)
  • [2009-01-23 17:08]

Hi Bayram,
with its soft powdery look, the feature is very unique and different. Maybe this guy is very good in hiding.

Regards,
Foozi

  • Great 
  • soe Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 381 W: 0 N: 108] (2473)
  • [2009-06-27 3:09]

Salam Bayram
Beautiful shot. Nice color, sharp, detail and wonderful lighting.
Tin Soe

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