Photographs

Scarlet Skimmer (Crocothemis servilia) (female)

Flora & Fauna

In this species, the redness is entire, extending from the ‘face’ and eyes to the anal appendages. Even the veins of the wings, close to the bases, are red. The bases of the hind wings have amber patches. The pterostigmata are ochreous. A black stripe runs down the centre of the ‘back’, along the top of the abdomen. Females and young males are straw-yellow versions of the males. The red is replaced everywhere by yellow. The wing patches are visible as a network of golden yellow veins. Crocothemis servilia  is more commonly known as Red Hot Chili Pepper, Ruddy Marsh Skimmer and Oriental Scarlet.