Image Credit: Lawrence H. of Roebuck, South Carolina
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Image Credit: Rudy P. taken at Duke Gardens, Durham,NC
The Great Blue Skimmer is a large dragonfly that is content to watch the summer days go by.
The brightly colored bodies of the Great Blue Skimmer are characteristic of most of the dragonflies in the Libellulidae family. Members are sometimes called King Skimmers because of their large size. The wings of the Great Blue Skimmer have black bands and spots. The males have an abdomen that is thick and light blue. They may have some green markings on the sides of their thorax ('chest'). Females have brown abdomen and aren't really blue at all!
Adults are most active in the peak summer months. Males can be seen resting on vegetation for long periods of time. Females flick fertilized eggs onto the shore after picking up a drop of water to help them stick on land. Larvae hatch and develop in still waters.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Odonata
Family:Libellulidae
Genus:Libellula
Species:vibrans
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Libellula vibrans
Other Name(s): Blue Skimmer
Category:
Dragonfly or Damselfly
Size (Adult; Length): 18mm to 64mm (0.70in to 2.50in)
Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.
Colors: blue; black; white; brown; green; yellow
