Two striped skimmer

Introduction: Two-striped Skimmers (Orthetrum caffrum) favour lush temporary ponds and slow-moving rivers. They were first observed in Caffraria near Port Natal, Durban (South Africa).

Distribution: Damaraland, Otavi Mountains, Mahango Game Reserve, Popa Falls and the Orange River.

Colouration: Brown background colour with some black markings. Their most distinctive feature are 2 noticeable, cream-coloured stripes on the sides of the thorax in both male and female and a pale line between the wings. The pterostigma is short and pale.

Breeding: Females lay eggs by coming into contact with surface water, dipping in flight.

Flight season: January to March.

Max size: 40 to 45mm.

Conservation: Not threatened.