Epaulet Skimmer (Orthetrum chrysostigma)

Cover photo by Gert Bensch.

Find this species in the FBIS database (Freshwater Biodiversity Information System) here.

Family Libellulidae

Identification

Medium sized

Length up to 46mm; Wingspan reaches 69mm.

Both sexes of the Epaulet Skimmer are among the more easily recognised Orthetrum species, due to the single diagonal stripe on the sides of the thorax. Fully pruinose males, however, are hard to identify and are best told by the distinctive shape of the secondary genitalia.

The Epaulet Skimmer is most similar to the closely related Two-striped Skimmer (Orthetrum caffrum), but that species has a darker, browner thorax with two, pale diagonal stripes on the sides.

Click here for more details on identification.

Habitat

The Epaulet Skimmer frequents a wide range of freshwater habitats, including Rivers, streams, lakes, pans, dams, and water-holes. It prefers sites that are fairly open with exposed rocks, sand, or gravel. The Epaulet Skimmer is most numerous along rivers in the savanna regions.

Behaviour

The Epaulet Skimmer often perches on the ground, but also on rocks and exposed stems and twigs. It hunts from a perch with a rapid, darting flight. Frequently returns to the same perch. Both sexes can be found in the same vicinity.

Status and Conservation

The Epaulet Skimmer is common and widespread in South Africa. It is listed as of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Epaulet Skimmer is fairly resistant to habitat damage and is often common at man-made and degraded sites.

Distribution

The Epaulet Skimmer is very widespread and occurs virtually throughout Africa, including North Africa. It also occurs in parts of Southern Europe and the Middle East. In South Africa, the Epaulet Skimmer occurs virtually throughout, but is scarce in the dry central regions.

Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Epaulet Skimmer in the OdonataMAP database as at February 2020.

Below is a map showing the distribution of records for Epaulet Skimmer in the OdonataMAP database as of December 2024.

The next map below is an imputed map, produced by an interpolation algorithm, which attempts to generate a full distribution map from the partial information in the map above. This map will be improved by the submission of records to the OdonataMAP section of the Virtual Museum.

Ultimately, we will produce a series of maps for all the odonata species in the region. The current algorithm is a new algorithm. The objective is mainly to produce “smoothed” maps that could go into a field guide for odonata. This basic version of the algorithm (as mapped above) does not make use of “explanatory variables” (e.g. altitude, terrain roughness, presence of freshwater — we will be producing maps that take these variables into account soon). Currently, it only makes use of the OdonataMAP records for the species being mapped, as well as all the other records of all other species. The basic maps are “optimistic” and will generally show ranges to be larger than what they probably are.

These maps use the data in the OdonataMAP section of the Virtual Museum, and also the database assembled by the previous JRS funded project, which was led by Professor Michael Samways and Dr KD Dijkstra.

Further Resources

The use of photographs by Gert Bensch is acknowledged. All other photographs by Ryan Tippett.

Epaulet Skimmer Orthetrum chrysostigma (Burmeister, 1839)

Other common names: Epouletskepper (Afrikaans)

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M; Navarro R; Tippett RM; Underhill L. 2025. Epaulet Skimmer Orthetrum chrysostigma. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2020/06/19/epaulet-skimmer-orthetrum-chrysostigma/

References: Tarboton, M; Tarboton, W. (2019). A Guide to the Dragonflies & Damselflies of South Africa. Struik Nature.

Samways, MJ. (2008). Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa. Pensoft

Samways, MJ. (2016). Manual of Freshwater Assessment for South Africa: Dragonfly Biotic Index. Suricata 2. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

Martens, A; Suhling, F. (2007). Dragonflies and Damselflies of Namibia. Gamsberg Macmillan.

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