Head to head
Broad-bodied Chaser vs Black-tailed Skimmer
Broad-bodied Chaser
VS Black-tailed Skimmer
The broad-bodied chaser and black-tailed skimmer are two powder-blue European dragonflies that both bask on bare ground and are often confused.
| Broad-bodied Chaser | Black-tailed Skimmer | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Libellula depressa | Orthetrum cancellatum |
| Male colour | A wide, flattened abdomen covered in a pale blue powder, with yellow patches along its edges | A pale blue, powder-coated abdomen ending in a black tip |
| Female colour | Yellow-brown | Yellow-brown with black markings along the abdomen |
| Wings and resting | A dark patch at the base of each wing, and it perches on bare ground or plant stems | Rests with its wings spread flat on bare ground, paths, and stones |
| Behaviour | Chases off rivals and intercepts passing insects | Males defend a patch of shoreline and chase off rivals and other dragonflies |
| New waters | One of the first dragonflies to colonise newly dug garden ponds, often within a year | Spreading northward in parts of Britain |
| Habitat and range | Ponds, ditches, and gravel pits across Europe, North Africa, and parts of western Asia | Ponds, gravel pits, and slow rivers across Europe, North Africa, and western Asia |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, and quick to colonise new ponds | Least Concern, widespread and common |
Broad-bodied Chaser vs Black-tailed Skimmer: common questions
Which dragonfly colonises new garden ponds?
The broad-bodied chaser, which is often one of the first large dragonflies to appear in a newly dug pond.
How can you tell them apart?
The broad-bodied chaser has a wide, flattened abdomen with yellow edge patches, while the black-tailed skimmer has a pale blue abdomen with a black tip.
How does each lay its eggs?
The black-tailed skimmer's female dips the tip of her abdomen into the water as she flies over it, releasing her eggs.