Libellula
pulchella
(Twelve-Spotted Skimmer)
Description:
Naiad-
This is a medium to large naiad with a length of 15/16 to 1 1/16 inches (24
to 27 mm). It is dark orange-brown in color, and the abdomen is rounded, giving
it a short, stocky appearance known as the sprawler form. There is a small hook
on the top of abdominal segments four through seven, and there is a thin, slightly
curved, rear-facing spine on each side of abdominal segment eight and nine.
Adult- This
is a fairly large dragonfly with a length
of 2 to 2 ¼ inches (50 to 57 mm). Each wing is marked with three dark spots:
one near the base where it attaches
to the body, one in the center than nearly spans the width of the wing, and
one at the tip. Females and immature
males are brownish black. The side of the thorax
is marked with two diagonal yellow stripes, and each side of the abdomen is
lined with yellow. Mature males are brownish black, faintly marked with yellow,
and become pruinose blue on the top of the abdomen. They may also develop a
whitish patch on each wing to the outside of the spot next to the body.
Range:
This species is found from
British Columbia east to Nova Scotia, extending south through most of the U.S.,
from California east to Florida. It is absent from very dry areas. In Idaho,
it occurs throughout most of the state except for the driest portions of the
southwest.
Habitat:
This dragonfly occurs
near lakes, ponds and marshes, particularly those with exposed shorelines.
Adult Flight Season:
Early June to
late 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:
Naiads live in the debris
on the bottom of lakes, ponds, and marshes. 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 early
June through August. Hunting occurs from perches on twigs or rocks.
Reproduction:
Males establish and
defend territories, and are very aggressive towards members of their own species
as well as other dragonflies. 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 the body of water 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.