10-6-2023 SINGAPORE GARDENS - SCARLET SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Crocothemis servilia)

The scarlet skimmer or ruddy marsh skimmer, Crocothemis servilia, is a species of dragonfly of the family Libellulidae, native to east and southeast Asia and introduced to Jamaica, Florida, and Hawaii.

It is a medium sized blood-red dragonfly with a thin black line along the mid-dorsal abdomen. Its eyes are blood-red above, purple laterally. Thorax is bright ferruginous, often blood-red on dorsum. Abdomen is blood-red, with a narrow black mid-dorsal carina. Anal appendages are blood-red. Female is similar to the male; but with olivaceous-brown thorax and abdomen. The black mid-dorsal carina is rather broad.

It breeds in ponds, ditches, marshes, open swamps and rice fields.

4-6-2023 UBUD, BALI - SCARLET SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Crocothemis servilia)

The scarlet skimmer or ruddy marsh skimmer, Crocothemis servilia, is a species of dragonfly of the family Libellulidae, native to east and southeast Asia and introduced to Jamaica, Florida, and Hawaii.

It is a medium sized blood-red dragonfly with a thin black line along the mid-dorsal abdomen. Its eyes are blood-red above, purple laterally. Thorax is bright ferruginous, often blood-red on dorsum. Abdomen is blood-red, with a narrow black mid-dorsal carina. Anal appendages are blood-red. Female is similar to the male; but with olivaceous-brown thorax and abdomen. The black mid-dorsal carina is rather broad.

It breeds in ponds, ditches, marshes, open swamps and rice fields.

14-3-2020 TURTLE BEECH KERALA, INDIA - SCARLET SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Crocothemis servilia)

19-11-2016 THA YET MIO, MYANMAR - SCARLET SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Crocothemis servilia)

The scarlet skimmer or ruddy marsh skimmer, Crocothemis servilia, is a species of dragonfly of the family Libellulidae, native to east and southeast Asia and introduced to Jamaica, Florida, and Hawaii.

It is a medium sized blood-red dragonfly with a thin black line along the mid-dorsal abdomen. Its eyes are blood-red above, purple laterally. Thorax is bright ferruginous, often blood-red on dorsum. Abdomen is blood-red, with a narrow black mid-dorsal carina. Anal appendages are blood-red. Female is similar to the male; but with olivaceous-brown thorax and abdomen. The black mid-dorsal carina is rather broad.

It breeds in ponds, ditches, marshes, open swamps and rice fields.

The Skimmer Dragonfly, known for its mesmerizing aerial displays and vibrant colors, is a fascinating insect species found across various continents. With its elongated body, large multifaceted eyes, and intricate wings, the Skimmer Dragonfly is a true marvel of nature. These agile creatures inhabit a diverse range of habitats, from freshwater lakes and ponds to slow-moving streams and marshes. Throughout their life cycle, Skimmer Dragonflies undergo remarkable transformations, starting as aquatic nymphs before emerging as sleek-winged adults capable of swift flight. They play a vital role in ecosystem balance by preying on pesky insects like mosquitoes, thus serving as natural pest controllers.

A "Darners Dragonfly" perches on a stem, displaying its spread wings.

Despite facing threats from habitat loss and environmental degradation, Skimmer Dragonflies continue to captivate human interest, serving as subjects of study and admiration for enthusiasts and scientists alike. Through their beauty, behavior, and ecological importance, Skimmer Dragonflies offer a window into the intricate workings of the natural world, reminding us of the wonders that abound in the world of insects.

25-11-2016 NYAUNG OAK MONASTERY, MYANMAR - SCARLET SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Crocothemis servilia)

The scarlet skimmer or ruddy marsh skimmer, Crocothemis servilia, is a species of dragonfly of the family Libellulidae, native to east and southeast Asia and introduced to Jamaica, Florida, and Hawaii.

It is a medium sized blood-red dragonfly with a thin black line along the mid-dorsal abdomen. Its eyes are blood-red above, purple laterally. Thorax is bright ferruginous, often blood-red on dorsum. Abdomen is blood-red, with a narrow black mid-dorsal carina. Anal appendages are blood-red. Female is similar to the male; but with olivaceous-brown thorax and abdomen. The black mid-dorsal carina is rather broad.

It breeds in ponds, ditches, marshes, open swamps and rice fields.

In this species, the redness is entire, extending from the ‘face’ and eyes to the anal appendages. Even the veins of the wings, close to the bases, are red. The bases of the hind wings have amber patches. The pterostigmata are ochreous. A black stripe runs down the centre of the ‘back’, along the top of the abdomen. Females and young males are straw-yellow versions of the males. The red is replaced everywhere by yellow. The wing patches are visible as a network of golden yellow veins. Crocothemis servilia  is more commonly known as Red Hot Chili Pepper, Ruddy Marsh Skimmer and Oriental Scarlet. 

Scarlet skimmer (Crocothemis servilia) is also known as the ruddy marsh skimmer.

This is a species of dragonfly of the family Libellulidae. It is native to east and southeast Asia and introduced to Jamaica, Florida and Hawaii. It is medium sized with males being red and females nare more brown. They breed in ponds, ditches, marshes, open swamps and rice fields.

24-11-2016 INLE LAKE, MYANMAR - SCARLET SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Crocothemis servilia)

The scarlet skimmer or ruddy marsh skimmer, Crocothemis servilia, is a species of dragonfly of the family Libellulidae, native to east and southeast Asia and introduced to Jamaica, Florida, and Hawaii.

There are two known subspecies; Crocothemis servilia servilia (Drury, 1773) and Crocothemis servilia mariannae Kiauta, 1983. C. s. mariannae lacks the mid-dorsal black stripe.

It is a medium sized blood-red dragonfly with a thin black line along the mid-dorsal abdomen. Its eyes are blood-red above, purple laterally. Thorax is bright ferruginous, often blood-red on dorsum. Abdomen is blood-red, with a narrow black mid-dorsal carina. Anal appendages are blood-red. Female is similar to the male; but with olivaceous-brown thorax and abdomen. The black mid-dorsal carina is rather broad.

It breeds in ponds, ditches, marshes, open swamps and rice fields.

23-11-2016 INLE LAKE, MYANMAR - SCARLET SKIMMER DRAGONFLY (MALE) (Crocothemis servilia)

The scarlet skimmer or ruddy marsh skimmer, Crocothemis servilia, is a species of dragonfly of the family Libellulidae, native to east and southeast Asia and introduced to Jamaica, Florida, and Hawaii.

It is a medium sized blood-red dragonfly with a thin black line along the mid-dorsal abdomen. Its eyes are blood-red above, purple laterally. Thorax is bright ferruginous, often blood-red on dorsum. Abdomen is blood-red, with a narrow black mid-dorsal carina. Anal appendages are blood-red. Female is similar to the male; but with olivaceous-brown thorax and abdomen. The black mid-dorsal carina is rather broad.

It breeds in ponds, ditches, marshes, open swamps and rice fields.