Twelve-Spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) lives in freshwater ponds across North America. It feeds on insects and flies. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Twelve-Spotted Skimmer
- The twelve-spotted skimmer lives throughout southern Canada and every one of the 48 contiguous United States, giving it a coast-to-coast presence across the continent. Because it occurs in every state, it is considered one of the most widely distributed dragonflies in North America.
- Measuring about 50 mm in length, the twelve-spotted skimmer is among the larger members of the skimmer group, making it easy to spot when it flies over water. Its body length of fifty millimetres sets it apart from many smaller dragonflies that share the same habitats. This size, combined with its bold wing markings, helps observers identify it quickly in the field.
- Each of the dragonfly's four wings carries exactly three brown spots, a pattern that inspired its common name. The trio of spots per wing is consistent across individuals, providing a reliable field mark for identification. Observers can count the six brown spots on each side of the body to confirm they are looking at a twelve-spotted skimmer.
- Adult male twelve-spotted skimmers develop extra white markings that appear between the brown spots on each wing and at the bases of the hindwings. Because the males typically show ten of these white spots, observers often refer to them as ten-spot skimmers.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeNorth America
HabitatFreshwater ponds
DietInsects and flies
About the Twelve-Spotted Skimmer
As the sun casts its warm glow upon the tranquil waters, the Twelve-Spotted Skimmer dances across the surface, its iridescent wings beating in a hypnotic rhythm, leaving a trail of shimmering light in its wake. With each delicate touch of its slender legs, it alights upon a water lily or twig, surveying its kingdom with an unblinking gaze, a true master of the aquatic realm. In its effortless glide, the Twelve-Spotted Skimmer embodies the very essence of elegance, a fleeting yet unforgettable glimpse of perfection in the natural world.
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