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Male Epaulet Skimmer #4


Male Epaulet Skimmer #4
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 728 W: 3 N: 2299] (8188)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-22
Categories: Nature
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Arthropods from the Middle East [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-12-20 12:55
Viewed: 291
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Orthetrum chrysostigma (Epaulet Skimmer) (Male)#4

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!
Cheers,

Bayram
lawbert, taftabit, neusser0204, milas, boomcat, tsesler, zulfu has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To milas: Selamlarboreocypriensis 1 12-21 04:39
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Bayram
This is a fine capture...The pov from the side shows superb wing details as the Skimmer rests or is maybe recharging himself from the sun.
The body details are also exemplary as are the most informative notes.
An Excellent Post and I Thank you for it.
All the Best
Paul

Merhaba Bayram Bey,sizin hızınıza yetişmek mümkün değil.Harika bir diagonal kompozisyon ve nefis bir çekim.Toprağın dokusundan iyi sıyrılmış bir kare.Tüm olumsuzlukları çekim açınızla bertaraf etmişsiniz,kutlarım,iyi geceler :)

Selam Bayram Hoca,
Arka planla uyum içinde yine ilginç bir konma şekli. Sanki rüzgara karşı duruyor gibi. Netlik ve kompozisyon başarılı tebrikler
Selahattin E

Merhaba Bayram Bey

güzel bir makro.
Net ve detay harika.
Selamlar

Faruk

hey Bayram
great macro , very nice perspective and light
the details are magical
best regards
T

Bayram hocam merhaba
Güzel serinizden harika bir örnek daha sunmuşsunuz
Elinize sağlık
BURAK

Hello Bayram
Very nice composition.Your image is very sharp with beautiful colors, and details a lot.
Best regards Siegfried

  • Great 
  • milas Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2732 W: 412 N: 2987] (32821)
  • [2008-12-21 4:13]
  • [+]

Merhaba Bayram bey...
Değişik bir açıdan güzel bir çalışma daha...tebrikler...bunlar bir kerede kimbilir ne kadar larva yumurtlarlar, sağlık bakımından zararlımı bilemiyorum ama mutlaka insanlığa bir faydaları da vardır diye düşünüyorum...selamlar

a good shot from different point of view. another nice shot, Bayram..nice shot and presented.. tfs..

regards, terry

Merhaba Bayram, great light on this lovely dragonfly with fine details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Modelinizi tüm açılardan harika görüntülemişsiniz.Mükemmle ışık altında detaylar nefis çıkmış.Tebrikler,

hAyAti

Merhabalar Kardeşim,
harika bir dagonal compozisyon yakalamışsın burada,
ellerine ve gören gözlerine sağlık,
selamalar,
Taner

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 150 W: 0 N: 7] (44)
  • [2008-12-21 22:17]

Alan derinliği harika olan bir yanal bakış açısı. Muhteşem olmuş hocam.
Saygılar, Mehmet

  • Great 
  • ayse51 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1701 W: 124 N: 1454] (20512)
  • [2008-12-21 23:18]

Günaydın Bayram bey,
tüm detaylarıyla mükemmel bir macro.Kanatların duruşu çok enteresan.Ellerine sağlık.Necla.

Hello my dear friend,

Great macro shot with natural and beautiful colors and great angle!
Congratulations and TFS.
Sergio

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 595 W: 0 N: 957] (4612)
  • [2009-02-15 5:02]

Merhaba Bayram MF,
this is a very near shot showing everyhting he has. Sharp and clear and lovely pose.

regards,
Foozi

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