Diet

• Orthemis ferruginea is a predatory dragonfly. Adults capture small flying insects, while the aquatic larvae prey on small aquatic organisms, including mosquito and midge larvae. Laboratory-reared larvae have been successfully fed both types of insect larvae.

Range

• The Roseate Skimmer is widely distributed from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America, with its range extending into northern and tropical South America and the Caribbean.

• The species occurs in the Zihuatanejo region and is a conspicuous dragonfly around suitable freshwater habitats.

Habitat

• Orthemis ferruginea is particularly characteristic of temporary ponds and pools, but it also uses permanent ponds, lakes and lagoons.

• It can tolerate disturbed habitats and is often found around water bodies in open or urban areas as well as more natural surroundings. Adults commonly perch on exposed branches or other vegetation beside the water, often in sunny positions.

• Around Zihuatanejo, suitable habitat includes seasonal pools, ponds, lagoons and other quiet freshwater areas in tropical dry forest, scrub and developed areas.

Description

• The Roseate Skimmer is a relatively large, robust dragonfly, about 46–55 mm long.

• Mature males are strikingly coloured, with a pinkish-red to purplish-red body, while females are predominantly yellowish-brown to brown. The contrast between the strongly coloured mature male and the more subdued female is particularly noticeable.

• Males are active and territorial, frequently making short flights from exposed perches beside the water before returning to a perch. Females have a distinctive method of laying eggs in which droplets of water are flicked towards the shoreline with the tip of the abdomen.

• The species can be distinguished from the similar Orthemis discolor by its overall coloration and abdominal and thoracic markings; both species can occur in western Mexico.