Black faced skimmer

Introduction: Black-faced Dancing Skimmers (Nesciothemis furinosa) prefer taller reeds than most other species. Here, males can defend their territory, often displaying hostile behaviour towards a rival by closely flying around a rival.

Distribution: Kunene, Kavango, Kwando and Zambezi Rivers. Sightings at Palmwag, Ongongo and Aub Canyon Springs and the Otavi Mountains have also been recorded.

Colouration: Furinosa is a Latin meaning for 'dusted with flour, or floury' referring to the whitish blue pruinosity of the body. Brownish body with a few dark markings along the edges of the abdominal segments.

Breeding: Larvae inhabit detritus in thick masses of reeds.

Flight season: November and May in the north-east and between February and July in Damaraland.

Conservation: Not threatened.