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Widow Skimmer Dragonflies of N. Va. - Kevin Munroe, 2012 Flight Record: Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) – 1.8”, 42-50 mm (5/12- 10/02) Peaks July-August. Common Habitat: Vegetated pond, lake and marsh edges. Also M meadows. Males have unique combo of First M 1 dark & 1 light Glance: blotch per wing Medium. Long, black & white wings, with blue body (male), black blotched wings with yellow & brown body (female). Compare: F Common Whitetail, Females have Twelve- F one large dark spotted blotch per wing Skimmer Notes from the field – Widow Skimmer: The bold, contrasting colors on the wings of the male Widow Skimmer make this one of the most recognizable dragonflies in our area. Those wings give it an almost butterfly-like appearance, and one wonders at first if an acrobatic swallowtail hasn’t just visited the pond edge. As you can see in several of these photos, their beautiful wings are often torn and tattered, more so than other species it seems. They’re a member of the King Skimmer genus, so perhaps it’s their intensely territorial nature that leads to so many injured wings. The individual in the upper photo is missing almost an entire rear wing, but was still able to fly faster than this dragonfly geek could run. If you’re looking for Widows, check the vegetated edges of your local pond or marsh any sunny day, June-September. They prefer tall plants for perching, so be sure to allow the native grasses and wildflowers to grow large and thick around your neighborhood water- ways. Shallow, marshy pools are their favorite. However, you’re just as likely to see this showy species in a dry meadow as at a pond, as they If you look at photos of male Widows, you’ll seem to love large meadows more than any see varying degrees of pruinosity (waxy blue other dragonfly. Walking through the expansive powder) on their abdomens. You can still see upland meadows of Manassas Battlefield Park yellow lines under this young male’s first I’ve seen dozens in just one morning. developing layer of pruinosity. Often found in meadows Summer species Manassas bird count, females in the meadows .

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Dragonflies September 2008
Learning Laguna Field Notes: Dragonflies September 2008 This edition is based on a Continuing Education event taught by Kathy & Dave Biggs. Dragonfly is a type of insect belonging to the order Odonata. As such, they have 3 prominent body parts—a head, a thorax to which the wings (in this case 4) and 6 legs are attached, and an abdomen. Their front and rear wings are not linked together, but can be operated independently. It is characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, and an elongated body. Dragonflies typi- cally eat gnats, mosquitoes, and other small insects like flies, bees, and even butterflies. They are valued as predators, since they help control populations of potentially harmful insects and “pests.” Eight Spotted Skimmer - male (Libellula forensis) Mark A. Chappell Some Dragonfly “Wow” Facts http://faculty.ucr.edu/~chappell/INW/arthropods/8spot1.jpg • Because of their compound eyes, they can see in all directions and can see flickers of movement 15 times better than humans. • Predators like birds, especially the Black Phoebe, will eat them, but will drop the wings as they have barbs • In most dragonfly species, the eyes touch • Their legs are studded with spikes and they capture prey by clasping it in their legs. • Dragonflies usually attack prey from below • Like most bird species, males are more colorful that females • In the United States dragonflies and damselflies are sought out as a hobby similar to birding and butterflying, known as oding. Oding, from the dragonfly’s scientific order name: Odo- nata. • Dragonflies are survivors from before the dinosaur period.
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© 2016 David Paul Moskowitz ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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1 Common Dragonflies and Damselflies of the Chicago Region
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Territorial and Mating Success of Dragonflies That Vary in Muscle Power Output and Presence of Gregarine Gut Parasites
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Common Odonta—Dragonflies and Damselflies
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