Insects diurnal

Keeled Skimmer

Orthetrum coerulescens

A slender, sky-blue sentinel of the summer wetlands, the Keeled Skimmer is a favorite for backyard observers. Watch as these territorial pilots defend their sunny perches with acrobatic precision.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Body length 39–45 mm (1.5–1.8 inches); wingspan 60–70 mm (2.4–2.8 inches)

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Colors

Mature males feature a powdery sky-blue abdomen and brownish thorax. Females and immatures are golden-yellow to ochre with a thin black line down the center of the abdomen.

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Key Features

Distinctive raised ridge or 'keel' running down the center of the abdomen
Male abdomen is entirely blue without a black tip
Pale brown or yellowish wing spots (pterostigma)
Relatively small and slender compared to other blue skimmers

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 10 AM - 4 PM

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Season June-August

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Diet A generalist carnivore that hunts mid-air, catching small flying insects such as flies, gnats, mosquitoes, and small moths.

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Habitat Prefers acidic environments like heaths, bogs, and moorlands with slow-moving water, but frequently visits garden ponds with sunny margins.

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Behavior

The Keeled Skimmer is a classic 'percher' dragonfly, spending much of its time stationed on low-growing vegetation, stones, or bare patches of ground. From these vantage points, they keep a watchful eye for both potential prey and encroaching rivals. They are highly territorial, and you will often see a male dart off to intercept another insect, only to return a moment later to the exact same sun-drenched spot.

Unlike some of their larger relatives that patrol high above the water, Keeled Skimmers stay low. Their flight is fast and darting but usually covers short distances. They are sun-lovers, requiring the warmth of the day to reach the body temperatures necessary for high-speed flight. During cloudy spells, they quickly retreat into taller grass to hide and conserve energy.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Keeled Skimmer on camera, you must think like a percher. These dragonflies have 'favorite' spots—usually a protruding twig, a flat stone, or a specific reed near the water's edge. Once you identify a spot where one has landed, that is your target. Mount your camera on a short tripod or stake about 1 to 2 feet away from the perch. Use a side-angle to highlight the 'keel' ridge on the abdomen, which is their most defining characteristic.

Lighting is critical for insect photography. Position your camera so the sun is behind you, illuminating the dragonfly's blue pruinescence (the powdery coating) or the female's golden hues. Avoid shooting directly into the sun, as the translucent wings will blow out and lose detail. Because dragonflies move with incredible speed, set your camera to its highest possible frame rate (at least 60fps). This allows you to review the footage in slow motion, revealing the fascinating way they adjust their four wings independently during takeoff.

If you want to attract them to a specific frame, you can 'build' a perch. Place a bamboo cane or an attractive piece of driftwood in a sunny, shallow area of your pond. If the spot is warm and offers a good view of the water, a Keeled Skimmer will likely claim it within hours. Ensure the background is as simple as possible; a cluttered background of moving grass can confuse AI motion detection and make the subject harder to see in the final footage.

Finally, timing is everything. These insects are most active when the sun is at its zenith. Don't bother setting your camera for early morning or late evening; instead, focus your efforts on the hottest four hours of the day. If you are using a trail camera, ensure the PIR sensitivity is set to high, as the small heat signature of an insect can be difficult to trigger compared to a mammal.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Keeled Skimmer.

Southern Skimmer

Wider, flatter abdomen and lacks the distinctive central ridge; typically has a more uniform blue color into the thorax.

Black-tailed Skimmer

Larger with a noticeably black tip at the end of the blue abdomen and dark eyes.

Scarce Chaser

Broad, tapering abdomen with dark markings at the base of the wings and dark blue eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Keeled Skimmer are most active during the peak heat of the day, typically between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, when the sun is strongest and they can maintain high body temperatures for flight.

The best way to attract them is by providing a sunny garden pond with shallow edges and plenty of 'perching' sticks or rocks where they can sun themselves and watch for prey.

They are aerial predators that eat a variety of small flying insects, including flies, mosquitoes, and gnats, which they catch mid-air using their legs like a basket.

They are less common in urban centers but very common in suburban gardens that are located near heathlands, bogs, or slow-moving streams.

The Keeled Skimmer is smaller and more slender. Crucially, the Keeled Skimmer has a prominent ridge (keel) down its abdomen and pale-colored wing spots, whereas the Southern Skimmer has a wider abdomen and darker wing spots.

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