Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00597
Roseate Skimmer
Orthemis ferruginea
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About Roseate Skimmer
Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) is a member of Libellulidae in the order Odonata. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.
Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) is documented from Kauaʻi. Skimmer dragonflies have aquatic predatory naiads and aerial predatory adults. Many species are strong dispersers and use ponds, marshes, streams, or temporary water. On Kauaʻi, observations are most useful when they record waterbody, exuviae/naiads, adult sex/color phase, territorial behavior, and season. Where island-specific host, prey, breeding-site, abundance, or seasonal information is not yet firmly documented, those details should remain tied to direct specimens and field observations rather than inferred from populations elsewhere.
Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) is an introduced dragonfly recorded from Kauaʻi wetlands, ditches, and other low-elevation freshwater habitat. Adult males and females are strongly color-dimorphic.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: Māhaʻulepū Kauaʻi survey directly records Orthemis ferruginea; Bishop Museum says it is introduced and common on all Hawaiian Islands.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Egg; aquatic naiad; emergence/final molt; winged adult; no pupa.
Habitat
Freshwater pools, ponds, wetlands, slow streams, and surrounding aerial foraging habitat.
Food and ecological role
Naiads prey on aquatic animals; adults capture flying insects.
Reproduction
Adults mate near water and females lay eggs in or over suitable freshwater habitat.
Movement
Adults are strong fliers; naiads remain aquatic.
Ecosystem role
Predator in aquatic and aerial food webs.
Threats and impacts
Recruitment depends on freshwater habitat quality; introduced species may also interact with native odonates.
Monitoring
Record waterbody, exuviae/naiads, adult sex/color phase, territorial behavior, and season.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Orthemis ferruginea
- Common names
- Roseate Skimmer
- Family
- Libellulidae
- Order
- Odonata
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) is a member of Libellulidae in the order Odonata. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.