Needham's Skimmer (Libellula needhami) lives in freshwater areas across North America. It feeds on insects and larvae. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Needham's Skimmer
- Needham's skimmer inhabits the Bahamas, Cuba, Mexico and the United States. The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies it as Least Concern, noting that there is no immediate threat to its existence and that the overall population remains stable.
- The species is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, meaning it faces no immediate danger of extinction. This assessment reflects that threats are currently low across its range and that surveys have not detected declines. Consequently the global population is regarded as stable, supporting its secure conservation status.
- The binomial Libellula needhami commemorates the American entomologist James George Needham. This dragonfly belongs to the Libellulidae family.
- Male Needham's skimmers have a vivid red face, while females display a more subdued brown or yellow facial colour. This sexual dimorphism helps observers separate the sexes without needing to capture the insects.
- The posterior wing veins of Needham's skimmer remain a constant colour and never turn orange, a feature that sets it apart from the very similar Libellula auripennis, whose rear wing veins can develop an orange tint. This stable vein colour is mentioned as a key diagnostic trait when comparing the two species. Observers can rely on this characteristic during surveys of Caribbean and mainland habitats where both dragonflies occur.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeNorth America
HabitatFreshwater areas
DietInsects and larvae
About the Needham's Skimmer
As the sun casts its warm glow upon the tranquil waters, the Needham's Skimmer dances across the surface, its iridescent wings beating in a hypnotic rhythm as it patrols its domain with effortless elegance. With each delicate touch of its feet upon the water's edge, it seems to barely graze the surface, as if floating upon the very essence of the air itself. In this serene and peaceful world, the Needham's Skimmer reigns supreme, a dazzling embodiment of the beauty and wonder that abounds in the natural realm.
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