Skimmer Dragonfly

Common Whitetails, Blue Dashers, Slaty Skimmers, Eastern Pondhawks, and Eastern Amberwings (all skimmers) are probably 5 of the 7 most adaptable and widespread dragonfly species in N. VA.. Previously called the orange-bellied skimmer, due to the underside of its abdomen appearing pale orange, but as the colour on the underside is rarely seen this is no longer used as a field mark. John Hudson sneaks up on a dragonfly at Deadman Lake in Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge (above) while Bob Armstrong (below) hopes to photograph one flying out of his special insect flight box. aa Painted Skimmer, Libellula semifasciata, was discovered in our OFNC study area (Skevington 2024). This is the one species that may be confused the Four-spotted Skimmer, although the likeness is. One of our less common skimmers, this dragonfly has relatively specific habitat needs. It prefers very shallow marshy pools in the full sun. If there’s enough water for fish, it’s too deep for Bar-winged.

Dark, common and seemingly friendly, this member of the King Skimmer genus (Libellula), does appear to be curious, if not actually friendly. Males especially will often hover face to face with dragonfly.