About Orthemis ferruginea (Fabricius, 1775)
The roseate skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea, is a dragonfly species belonging to the family Libellulidae. It is native to the Americas, with a distribution ranging from the United States down to Brazil. This species is common and widespread across its native range, and it has been introduced to Hawaii. Male roseate skimmers have a rose pink and red abdomen. Females have an orange-brown abdomen with clear orange veins, and a brownish thorax marked with a light stripe running down the back. The wings are typically clear, apart from brown pterostigmata located at the leading edges. Adult roseate skimmers measure 46 to 55 millimetres (1.8 to 2.2 inches) in total length, with a wingspan of 35 to 44 millimetres (1.4 to 1.7 inches). Males of this species are highly territorial, and they aggressively defend their territories against other male roseate skimmers that fly into the area. This dragonfly tolerates a broad range of habitat types, but it generally requires access to open water. It can occupy disturbed and artificial water bodies such as tanks and ditches, and it can live in both open and vegetated land areas. It breeds in mud.
