Libellula
nodisticta
(Hoary Skimmer)
Description:
Naiad-
The naiad is currently undescribed by biologists.
Adult- This
is a medium-sized, stout-bodied dragonfly, with a length of 1 13/16 to 2 1/16
inches (46 to 52 mm). The wings are mostly clear, with each marked at the base
with a dark patch and at the center
along the leading edge with a small
dark spot. Mature males are pruinose blue on the thorax and abdomen. Each side
of the thorax may be marked with several yellow spots, and the sides of the
abdomen may be marked with brownish orange dashes. Females
and immature males are grayish brown and marked with yellow, both on the sides
of the thorax and on each abdominal segment.
Range:
This species is found from
Yellowstone National Park (northwestern Wyoming), south and west to California,
extending south into South America as far as Venezuela. In Idaho, it can be
found in the southwest corner, though it may occur in other areas of the state
near hot springs.
Habitat:
This dragonfly can be
found in warm climates near lakes, ponds, slow streams, marshes, and at hot
springs in cooler climates. All of the species from Idaho and from Yellowstone
National Park were collected near hot springs.
Adult Flight Season:
Mid-May to mid-August
Diet:
Naiad-
Naiads feed on a wide variety of aquatic insects, such as mosquito larvae, other
aquatic fly larvae, mayfly larvae, and freshwater shrimp. They will also eat
small fish and tadpoles.
Adult-
The dragonfly will eat almost any soft-bodied flying insect including mosquitoes,
flies, butterflies, moths, mayflies, and flying ants or termites.
Ecology:
The naiads live in the
debris on the bottom of lakes, ponds, slow streams, marshes, and hot springs.
They do not actively pursue prey but wait for it to pass by, a strategy which
affords them protection from other predators. Naiads emerge as adults at night.
Adults generally fly from mid-May to mid-August. Hunting occurs from perches
on twigs or rocks.
Reproduction:
Males establish and
defend territories at choice breeding locations. After males and females mate,
the female flies singly, without the male attached, to lay her eggs. She does
this by dipping the tip of her abdomen in the shallows of lakes, ponds, slow
streams, and marshes while hovering just above the water's surface.
Conservation:
Populations
are widespread, abundant, and secure.
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Global Rank: | G5 |
State Rank: | S? |
References:
Corbet, P. S. 1999.
Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata. Cornell University Press, Ithaca,
New York, USA, 829pp.
Logan, E. R. 1967. The Odonata of Idaho. Unpublished M. S. thesis. University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA, 105 pp.
Needham, J. G. and M. J. Westfall. 1955. Dragonflies of North America. University of California Press, Berkely, California, USA, 615 pp.
Paulson, D. R. 1999. Dragonflies of Washington. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle, Washington, USA, 32 pp.
Walker, E. M. and P. S. Corbet. 1975. The Odonata of Canada and Alaska, Vol. III. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 307 pp.