The Scarlet Skimmer (Crocothemis servilia) is a medium-sized dragonfly known for the brilliant red coloring of mature males. Females and immature males look very different, displaying yellowish-brown or light brown bodies instead of scarlet. Native across warm parts of Asia, the species is common in India and Singapore and has also become established in southern … Read more
The Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata) is a large orange-red dragonfly native to western North America. Mature males appear almost entirely fiery orange, including their bodies, legs, wing veins, and much of their wings. Females are usually paler, ranging from golden orange to tan. Flame Skimmers are commonly seen around sunny ponds, warm streams, springs, canals, … Read more
A bright red dragonfly is usually an adult male belonging to one of several colorful skimmer species. It is not the name of a single species. In California, the insect may be a Flame Skimmer; in Texas, it may be a Neon Skimmer; in Florida, it could be an introduced Scarlet Skimmer; and in Spain, … Read more
Dragonflies can bite or pinch when they are caught and held, but they do not normally bite people. They cannot sting because they have no stinger, and they do not feed on blood. Most species are too small to break human skin, although a large dragonfly may produce a noticeable pinch if it is handled … Read more
The common whitetail dragonfly is a striking North American species recognized by the mature male’s chalky-white abdomen and broad dark wing bands. Females look remarkably different, displaying brown bodies, pale abdominal markings, and three dark spots on each wing. Its scientific name is Plathemis lydia, and it belongs to the skimmer family, Libellulidae. Common whitetails … Read more
A black and white dragonfly is not one specific species. The description can refer to several dragonflies with dark bodies, pale abdominal markings, or bold black-and-white patches across their wings. Some of the best-known examples include the twelve-spotted skimmer, pied paddy skimmer, common whitetail, widow skimmer, and chalk-fronted corporal. These striking insects are usually found … Read more
A yellow dragonfly is not one particular species. The name may describe any dragonfly with a yellow abdomen, yellow stripes, golden wings, or bright yellow markings. Many female and newly emerged dragonflies appear yellow before their colors darken as they mature. Examples include the yellow-sided skimmer, yellow-winged darter, female ruddy darter, and several clubtails, meadowhawks, … Read more
The red-veined darter is a colorful, highly mobile dragonfly recognized by its bright abdomen, tinted wing bases, distinctive eyes, and colored wing veins. Its scientific name is Sympetrum fonscolombii, and it is also sometimes called the nomad because individuals can travel considerable distances between suitable wetlands. The species is widespread across warmer regions of Europe, … Read more
The Great Blue Skimmer is one of the largest and most impressive skimmer dragonflies in North America. Mature males are recognized by their powdery blue bodies, pale faces, and blue-green eyes. Females and immature males look different, displaying brown or yellowish bodies with dark markings. This dragonfly prefers shaded ponds, wooded swamps, and slow-moving streams … Read more
The Slaty Skimmer is a medium-to-large dragonfly known for the dark slate-blue appearance of mature males. It is commonly seen around wooded ponds, marshes, lakes, and slow-moving streams in eastern North America. Although mature males are easy to recognize, females and young males look noticeably different, with brown bodies and dark abdominal stripes. Like other … Read more
