Keeled Skimmer

Pools and streams in wet heathland sites are favoured.

May be found resting low in heather at such sites.

Locally common. Patchy distribution, mainly western Britain and Ireland.

Black-tailed Skimmer

• Dark pterostigma (wing spots).
• Costa (leading wing vein) not yellow.
• No antehumeral stripes on thorax.
• Male: black coloration at the end of the abdomen.
• Female: black bands down the abdomen.

Scarce Chaser

• Dark pterostigma (wing spots).
• Costa (leading wing vein) not yellow.
• No antehumeral stripes on thorax.
• Male: black coloration at the end of the abdomen.
• Female: orange with black band down the middle of the abdomen.

• Length: 40-44mm
• Slim abdomen with a pronounced dorsal keel.
• Straw yellow costa (leading wing vein).
• Yellow or brown pterostigma (wing spots).
• The thorax has pale yellow ante-humeral stripes which fade with age in the male.
• Male: blue body and blue-grey eyes.
• Immature male: yellowish-brown abdomen with black markings and grey eyes.
• Female: yellowish-brown abdomen and blue-grey paler eyes.
• At rest, the wings are often held well forward.