About Widow Skimmer

Widow Skimmer

Libellula luctuosa

Native
Status: Uncommon

Size: medium

Length - 40 - 50 mm

Wing span - 76 - 80 mm

Eye color - reddish black

Face color - male: black  female:pale yellow or brown

Thorax color - male: pruinose blue/black, female: black and yellow

Abdomen color - male: pruinose blue, female: black and yellow

Stigma color - dark

Markings - wing color dark in center half and clear or white outer half

Habitat - ponds, lakes, marshes, river and creek pools

Behavior - active flier by still water; males combat regularly; two or more males will defend the same territory; females tap abdomens in water whilehovering near the surface

Flight period - April - October

Range - United States except along the Rocky Mountain swath. Also found in northern Mexico and eastern Canada. In California not found in the eastern part of the state but the range is expanding.

(source:google/http://kern.audubon.org)