Larger Skimmers
What are they?
These skimmers are relatively large and obvious dragonflies, hunting openly from prominent perches or patrolling for long periods over the water. Most species have blue males and orange or yellowish females. They can often be found in large numbers at suitable sites and dominate some habitats in high summer. The Eastern Pondhawk is in the same family as the skimmers, but in a separate genus. It is placed here as the common and obvious males are a similar color and could be mistaken for a skimmer.
Identification
Most species can be identified quite easily using a combination of forewing markings - especially the leading edge and pterostigma (the spot on the leading edge of the wing) - and the color and patterning on the side of the thorax. The latter is mostly important for females and teneral (young) males that haven't fully colored up.
Eastern Pondhawk Erythemis simplicicollis
Length: 1.7 inches. Flight time: Early May to late October. A widespread and very common species which may be found almost anywhere, both around wetlands and at drier sites. Mature males are blue all over, resembling some male skimmers. Females and immature males are bright apple green and unlikely to be confused with any other species. Blue males can quickly be told from other similar species (including Blue Dasher) by the pure white cerci at the distal end of the abdomen. The species is known for its voraciousness and regularly kills and eats other dragonfly species, as well as moths and butterflies.
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
Calico Pennant |
Slaty Skimmer Libellula incesta
Length: 1.9-2.0 inches. Flight time: Mid May to mid October. A widespread and common species. Males duller blue than other species and with a dark face.
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
Great Blue Skimmer Libellula vibrans
Length: 2.0-2.3 inches. Flight time: Late May to late September. A widespread and common species, though normally found solitarily rather than in swarms. Often found far from water in woodland clearings and trails. Both sexes are relatively large and long-winged and with a pale face. Wings have a black spot at the nodus, black pterostigma and a strong black mark at the wing tip.
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
Bar-winged Skimmer Libellula axilena
Length: 1.9-2.1 inches. Flight time: Mid May to late September. A local species but it can be found in good numbers where it occurs, mostly in the north of the county. Wings have a distinctive black mark on the leading edge of the forewing, between the nodus and the pterostigma.
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
 |
 |
| |
|
Spangled Skimmer Libellula cyanea
Length: 1.6-1.7 inches. Flight time: Mid April to mid September. A common and widespread species found in a wide range of wetland habitats. Probably the easiest species in this group to identify, due to the distinctive pterostigma which is half black and half white.
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
 |
|
| |
|
Yellow-sided Skimmer Libellula flavida
Length: 1.8-1.9 inches. Flight time: Mid May to early September. Locally common in the north of the county, favoring sphagnum bogs and other acid pools. The yellow on the side of the abdomen is not especially obvious and more of a creamy-white. In females this patch of color extends forward as a well-defined tongue of pale yellow.
 |
|
 |
| |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
Needham's Skimmer Libellula needhami
Length: 2.0-2.1 inches. Flight time: Mid May to late September. A common and widespread species that may be found in good numbers in many wetland areas, including coastal, slightly brackish waters. Females have a narrow point of yellow extending foward towards the head on the side of the thorax. All six legs are pale-colored.
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
|