Common Name
Habitat/Flight Dates
*Photo/scan at website
Skimmers
aka: Common Skimmers
15 CA genera with 40 species as of 10-2006
sizes: quite variable; lengths 21 - 61 mm
the most common of the families;
eyes broadly touching, forming a seam over face
males:showy non-metallic colors
some have patterned wings
bodies shorter than wingspans (30 -102 mm)
bodies may become pruinose in old age
females: often different colored than males
usually more brown or paler than males
but having similar markings
nymph: short, wide, sprawl
habitats: still waters, except for Clubskimmer and Red Rock Skimmer
behaviors: usually perch horizontally on twigs & vegetation;
fly out from perch to hawk prey and then often return to same twig;
males guard a temporary territory at edge of waterway;
glide while flying;
most females oviposit by scattering eggs on water's surface
CA flight period: mostly April - October
distribution: most common of the families
Photos by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragonflies p. 13
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 123, 130
CA&SW Dragonflies p.11
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 168-text
Audubon Guide, naiad pl. 42
Dragonflies N.A. key p.95-100, 612-842
*More Common Dragonflies (Odonata) [Common Dragonflies of Marin County] by Rich Stallcup
*Key to larva in Michigan, UMMZ
*Photo of a nymph by Drees and general information at TX Coop Extension
The Tropical Pennants
Photo by Robert Berstock
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 148
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 224-text
Brachymesia furcata
Red-tailed Pennant
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
scan male
scan male
scans young male
scan female
scan female
wingspan 66 - 73 mm
male: very Meadowhawk like;
red face and abdomen; stocky;
thorax drab, olive green/brown;
reddish abdomen with black spots on top of segments 8 & 9;
upper appendages - 'ski-tip' shaped;
black legs;
wings have amber near base and a long pale stigma edged in black
female: reddish-brown with a pale stripe between wings and along top of abd.;
black smudge on top of last 2 abd. segments;
wings have amber near base and a long stigma like males
habitat: ponds, lakes, canals in arid areas; can tolerate brackish water
distribution: rare southern species
CA flight period: March - November
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 148-149; pl. 32
SW and CA&SW Dragonflies p.19
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 224; pl.42
Dragonflies N.A. p.88, 607, 612, 614
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
GENUS Brechmorhoga
The Clubskimmer
Photo by Rod Miller
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 171
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 241
Brechmorhoga mendax
Pale-faced Clubskimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male flying
photo male flying
photo male flying
photo female
scan male
scan male
scan male
scan female
scan female
scan female
wingspan 68 - 86 mm
male: gray with pale face;
pale thoracic stripes;
rather narrow abdomen has club-shaped tip;
two large, closely spaced, pale yellowish spots on the top of abdomen tip are noticeable even in flight;
female: like male except tips and small basal area on wings brown;
abdomen not as constricted or clubbed
behavior: flies a beat along rivers & streams
habitat: rivers and streams
CA flight period: April - October
distribution: middle and southern California
CA Dragonflies p. 34
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 171-172; pl. 38
CA&SW Dragonflies p.53
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 241; pl. 46
Dragonflies N.A. p. 88, 598, 601, 609, 618-623
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photos by John Sterling at his photography site
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by Dennis Paulson
at ODONATA PHOTOS
*Scans by Forrest Mitchell
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra
at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX
*Photos by Curtis Williams
at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
GENUS: Erythemis
The Pondhawks
size: moderate
description: sexes differently colored
behavior: rest on ground, floating logs
Photo female by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 149
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 211-text
Western Pondhawk
aka Lepthemis collocata
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo young male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
scans male
scan young male
scans young
male
scans immature male
scans female
scan female
scan female
wingspan 63 - 65 mm
male: mature male has blue body with dark blue eyes and green face;
immature male can still be green like female or part green and part pruinose blue (usually the thorax turns blue later than the abdomen);
wings entirely clear; pale sigma
similar species: quite similar to male Blue Dasher but Dasher's face is white;
somewhat similar to Comanche Skimmer which has white face and dark stigma;
see also behavior note as to perching habits
female: emerald green body with a thin dark line down the middle;
abdomen often turns yellowish near end
similar species: not at all similar to Blue Dasher female or any other female
behavior: Perches on ground/floating vegetation. This can be diagnostic as Blue Dasher doesn't do this
habitat: ponds
CA flight period: March - October;
possible in far southern areas in Feb. & March
distribution: statewide
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 149-150; pl. 33
CA&SW Dragonflies p.41
Dragonflies of Washington p. 21
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 212-text; pl.39 picture
Dragonflies N.A. p.654-659
Stokes Guide p. 138-9
*Photo at Common Dragonflies of Marin County by Rich Stallcup
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos at Ray Bruun, Odonata of Shasta Co.
*Photos by John Sterling at his photography website
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo in Nevada by Paul Johnson
*Photo in Nevada by Paul Johnson
*5 Images fighting with a spider at Mink's Wildlife Images
from Videos in OR & WA
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans of nymph by Dennis Paulson at University of Puget Sound's "Odonata Larva"
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin of a transitional male E. collocata/simplicollis taken in Yellowstone NP
The Dragonlets
NEW GENUS FOR CALIFORNIA 2006
Description: small, dark; males and females have different color forms; 3 SW species
Photo by David Blue
NEW SPECIES FOR CA - October 2006
male - CA
male - CA
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
scan male (AZ)
scan young male (AZ)
scan female
size: small/medium length 24 - 34 mm,
wingspan 43 - 53 mm
male: black abdomen develops thin blue pruinosity on segments 1-7; face tawny to metallic black; wings clear except hind wing often with small basal dark amber patch
female: yellow with brown side stripe
habitat: marshy ponds, lakes
CA flight period: October
distribution: SE Imperial County, Imperial Dam Recreation Area
CA&SW Dragonflies p.49
Dragonflies - Binoculars - pl. 37 & pg. 205
*Photos by David Blue and Doug Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos by Ryan Sawby at Arizona Odonata- Family Libellulidae
*Photos by Greg Lasley at his Nature Photography site
*Photo by Robert Behrstock at Forrest Mitchell's DIGITAL DRAGONFLY MUSEUM
*Scan of male by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scan of female by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
The Whitefaced Skimmers
size: small, lengths 27 - 35 mm;
wingspans 43 - 60 mm
male: small, black heads with white-faces;
most have thorax & 1st 2 abdomen segments red;
wings mostly clear;
need to examine in hand comparing terminal appendages, hamules and sometimes
wing venation to completely determine ID as coloring is highly variable within species;
use CA Key for determinations
female: the same as male or yellowish where male is red;
nymph: small, smooth and slender; greenish in appearance with brownish markings
habitat: common in bog lakes, ponds with floating vegetation; usually in the mountains
CA flight period: May - September
distribution: northern lakes in Mts.
Photo by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 130
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 226
Crimson-ringed Whiteface
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo pair in wheel
photo pair in wheel
photo female
scans
male
scan teneral male
scans pair
scans teneral female '99
scans teneral females `01
scan teneral female and exuvia
wingspan 52 - 60 mm
male: dark eyes; bright white face;
abdomen black except first two segments which are red; thorax - red marks;
abdominal segment # 7 is entirely black;
female: same as male or yellowish where male is red; can show color on top of segments 1-8
similar species: one of four very similar Whiteface species;
compare to all others by structural differences using CA Key;
almost identical to Red-waisted Whiteface which has only been found in CA at Willow Lake in Plumas Co.; Use wing venation to make determination
habitat: weedy ponds, lakes, creeks, bogs in mountains;
most abundant at peat lands and peat-margined lakes
CA flight period: May - September
distribution: only common at northern lakes
CA Dragonflies p. 36
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 132-133; pl. 27
CA&SW Dragonflies p.51
Dragonflies of Washington p. 21
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 231; pl.43
Dragonflies N.A. p.688-695, 699
Stokes Guide p. 154
*Photos by John Sterling at his Dragonflies Website
*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonflies of Shasta County Website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos by David Westover at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photo by Blair Nikula at Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts
Hudsonian Whiteface
photo male
photo male
photo young female
photo mature female
wingspan 43 - 55 mm
male: dark with red markings on abdomen segments 1-6; white face;
female: male-like or yellow where male is red
similar species: compare to juvenile Dot-tailed Whiteface;
compare to all others by structural differences using CA Key
habitat: marshes/ponds/rivers/swamps/meadows
CA flight period: May - September
distribution: northern lakes
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 132-133; pl. 27
CA&SW Dragonflies p.50
Dragonflies of Washington p. 21
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 228; pl. 43
Dragonflies N.A. p.688-695, 699
Stokes Guide p. 155
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photos by John Sterlingat his dragonflies photography website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by Steve Valley at Oregon Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos by Dennis Deck at his Dragonflies and Damselflies of Oregon and Washington
*Scans by by Dennis Paulson at
Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos by David Westover at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photos by Blair Nikula at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Massachusetts
Dot-tailed Whiteface
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo mature female
photo immature female
scans
male
scans male
scan female
wingspan 48 - 52 mm
male: black head with bright white face;
black thorax; abdomen with large yellow dot (rarely reddish) only onseventh segment;
immatures can have yellow areas on top of the abdomen near the thorax
female: broader body than male; can show some yellowish on abdomen top
similar species: compare juvenile to Hudsonian Whiteface;
compare to all others by structural differences using CA Key
habitat: spring-fed ponds, bogs & lakes;
can be common in marshy bays, farm ponds and slow streams
CA flight period: May - September
distribution: common only in the mountains of northern California
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 131-132; pl. 27
CA&SW Dragonflies p.52
Dragonflies of Washington p. 21
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 227-text; pl.43 picture
Dragonflies N.A. p.97,598, 604, 687-694, 697
Stokes Guide p. 152-3
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site
*Photo by Chris Heaivilin at his Compendium Odonata website
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Ray Bruun at his Dragonflies of Shasta County Website
*Photos by John Sterling at his Dragonflies Photography Website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson
at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans of nymph by Dennis Paulson at University of Puget Sound's "Odonata Larva"
*Photo by Allen Chamber
at Odonata Photo Archive
*Photos by David Westover
at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photo by Allen Chartier at AMALIA - Odonata: Dragonflies & Damselflies
*Photos by Blair Nikula
at Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts
new SPECIES FOR CA - 98!
Leucorrhinia proxima
Belted Whiteface [renamed fall 2004] aka Red-waisted Whiteface
photo male
photo female
scan male
scan female
wingspan 49 - 55 mm
male: very similar to Crimson-ringed;
dark head with white face;
black body with red on top of thorax and upper abdomen;
can show some red down length of abdomen
similar species:
compare to all others by structural differences using CA Key ;
almost identical to Crimson-ringed Whiteface which is much more common
within the state; use wing venation to determine between the two
habitat: Swamps, bogs, lakes
CA flight period: June - August
distribution: only known in CA at Willow Lake, Plumas Co.
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 133-134; pl. 27
CA&SW Dragonflies p.51
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 230; pl. 43
Dragonflies N.A. p.690-692, 694, 698
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson
at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos by David Westover at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photo by Blair Nikula
at Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts
The King Skimmers
male: common, showy;
some have color in wings
female: less colorful; often brown with yellow
nymph: hairy; sprawl on bottom
behavior: females usually oviposit alone (non-tandem) while males hover guard nearby
Photo by Rod Miller
Photo by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragonflies p. 13
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 128
BC p. 71
Comanche Skimmer
photos male
photos males
photo male
photo immature male
photo immature male
photo female
photos
female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photos females
scans male
scan female
wingspan 70 - 88 mm
male: blue body with blue or
dark green eyes; very pale face;
wings clear with unusal bi-colored (white and black) stigma;
stigma - mostly light colored area with only a small dark area;
female: brown & yellow with black stripe down back of abdomen; face tan;
wings sometimes with small darkish area at tips &/or leading edge; bicoloredstigma same as male
similar species: Blue Dasher doesn't have bi-colored stigma;
Western Pondhawk has green face;
Bleached Skimmer has dark stigma;
habitat: ponds, ditches, canals & rivers; hot springs
CA flight period: May - October
CA&SW Dragonflies p.39
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 178; pl. 30
Dragonflies N.A. p.704-707, 710
Stokes Guide p. 132-3
*Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by John Sterling at his dragonflies photography website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos in Nevada by Paul Johnson
*Scans of a male by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans of a female by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photo by William Radke at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Scan male by Forrest Mitchell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scan female by Forrest Mitchell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by James Lasswell
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by James Lasswell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Bob Behrstock at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Bob Behrstock at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
Bleached Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photos males
photos males
photo male
photos pair
photos pair
photo female
scans male
scan female
wingspan 70 - 88 mm
male: mature male is pruinose pale blue with a 'bleached' look;
often shows dark smudges on abdomen where pruinosity rubbed off;
pale blue eyes; face almost white;
dark spot at wing bases near thorax, dark veins; stigma all dark, narrow and wide;
often shows a dark spot on wings at nodus;
pale costa (vein along the leading edge of the
wing);
female: yellow & dark with yellow patches along sides of abd.; 'plaid' look;
wings same as male's
tandem oviposit
similar species: Comanche Skimmer has bi-colored light stigma;
Western Pondhawk has green face;
Blue Dasher male and females have clear wings in CA;
Hoary Skimmer does not develop white pruinosity on wings
habitat: alkali ponds; springs
CA flight period: May - September
CA&SW Dragonflies p.38
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 182; pl. 32
Dragonflies N.A. p.706, 711
*Photo by John Sterling at his CA Dragonflies site
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scan by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photo by William Radke
at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Photo #1 and #2 by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata
*Photos & text on tandem pairs at Windsofkansas.com by Roy Beckemeyer
Neon Skimmer
photos males
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
scan male
scan female
wingspan 74 - 90 mm
male: very bright neon red/pink abdomen;
thorax & underside can be tannish;
abdomen and thorax wider than most other Skimmers;
wings have a reddish wash only near the abdomen
female: tan/orange with noticeable pale stripe top of thorax; wings mostly clear
similar species: Flame Skimmer body narrower and wing color out to nodus; click for comparison shots
behavior:often perch in the shade
habitat: marshy creeks & drainage ditches
CA flight period: June - October
distribution: southern species;
but range expanding, see distribution map
CA&SW Dragonflies p.13
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 181-text; pl.32 picture
Dragonflies N.A. p.703-705, 708, 712, 713
Stokes Guide p. 122
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photo by John Stirling at his Odonata Photos Website
*Photos by Don Roberson at his California Odes website
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*scans at Windsofkansas.com by Roy Beckemeyer
*Scanned dragonfly by Forrest Mitchell
at Digital Dragonflies, TX
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX, Texas
*Photo by James Lasswell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
Eight-spotted Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo newly emerged
wingspan 77 - 80 mm
male: abdomen and thorax top develop light blue pruinosity; dark face; brown eyes;
blue abdomen sometimes shows pale side spots;
two dark spots on each wing with white pruinosity between, outer dark spot forms a # 8,
outer dark spots touch leading and traling edges; wingtips clear
female: body brown with 'dashed-line' yellow side stripe (not angled dashes);
yellow thoracic stripes; can develop some white pruinosity on wings
similar species: 12-spotted Skimmer - dark wingtips; middle dark spots only touch leading wing edge;
female common Whitetail has angled dashed line on wide abdomen;
Hoary Skimmer shows only a small dark area at wing nodus;
Comparison shot of 8 & 12-spotted Skimmers
& females inc. Common Whitetail
hint: count dark spots on 1 wing X 4 = 4, 8, or 12-spotted
habitat: ponds, lakes, roadside ditches & fields
CA flight period: April - October
distribution: most abundant in central and northern counties
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 160-161; pl. 36
CA&SW Dragonflies p.11, 35
Dragonflies of Washington p. 24
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 173; pl. 28
Dragonflies N.A. p.702, 707, 714
Stokes Guide p. 124-5
*Photo by Chris Heaivilin at his Compendium Odonata website
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, CA
*Photos by John Sterling at his dragonfly photography website
*Photos by Tom Murray at his California Dragonflies site
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*2 motion images at
Mink's Wildlife Images from Videos
in OR & WA
*Scan comparing 8 to 12 Spotted Skimmers
at Dennis Paulson's WA Gallery
Chalk-fronted Corporal
aka Ladona julia
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
male:dark brown with a chalky white pruinosity restricted to front half of abdomen;
2 wide white pruinose stripes top of thorax;
eyes & face brown;
wings clear with dark basal markings
female: orangish honey-brown; black stripe along top of stubby abd.;
pale stripes atop thorax thinner than male's; wings similar to male's;
can become prunoise like male with age
nymph: sprawlers found within fine, loose organic matter
near/among aquatic vegetation of bog ponds/swampy bays,
also found in slow sections of streams or their outlets into ponds/lakes
found in waters of varying acidity
habitat: slow waters of marshes/bogs/swampy lakes/ponds/streams/rivers
behavior: often seen resting on rocks, logs or the bare ground
distribution: somewhat rare northern species
CA flight period: June - August
CA & CA&SW Dragonflies - inside dust jacket
Dragonflies of Washington p. 24
BC p. 71-72
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 176; pl. 29
Dragonflies N.A. p. 89, 682-686
Stokes Guide p. 130
*Photos by John Striling at his Dragonfly Photo Gallery
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos by Dennis Deck at his Dragonflies and Damselflies of Oregon and Washington
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photo by Mark O'Brien at Odonata Photo Archive
*Photo by Mark O'Brien at Odonata Photo Archive
*Photos by David Westover
at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Key to larva in Michigan, at UMMZ
*Photos by Blair Nikula
at Dragonflies and Damselflies of Massachusetts
Widow Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photos male
photo young male
photo young male
photos young males
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
scans male
scan female
wingspan 76 - 80 mm
male: body turns a pruinose pale blue;
top of thorax has 2 wide light blue stripes;
wing halves nearest abdomen are a blackish brown developing white on
outside;
abdomen can show darkish smudge mid-length where female contact rubs off the
pruinosity
female: brown with continuous abdominal golden-yellow side stripes joining above seg.1;
wings like male except also has small dark areas at tip
habitat: ponds, lakes, marshes, rivers, etc.
CA flight period: May - October
distribution: spreading, becoming statewide
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 163-164; pl. 34, 35
CA Insects - p. 49 #26
CA&SW Dragonflies p.36
Dragonflies of Washington p. 25
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 170; pl. 28, cover picture
Dragonflies N.A. p. 702-703, 707-708, 716
Audubon Guide: Widow plate 365
Stokes Guide p. 15, 128
*Photo at Common Dragonflies of Marin County by Rich Stallcup
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photo(s) by John Sterling at his Dragonfly Photography Website
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans by Forrest Mitchell
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo sequence of emergence by James Lasswell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scan of nymph at Digital Dragonflies
*Scan of exuvia
at Digital Dragonflies
*Photo by Bob Behrstock
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Bob Behrstock
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra
at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX, Texas
*Photo by Roy Beckemeyer
at Odonata Photo Album
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata
*Scans by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
*Photos by David Westover at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photo by Stephen B. Ross
at Michigan Odonata Photo Archive, UMMZ
Common Whitetail
aka Genus Plathemis
aka White Tail
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo young male
photo young male
photo immature male
photo immature male
photo teneral male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female in flight
photos female ovipositing
wingspan 65 - 75 mm
male: broad abdomen matures to a gleaming white (can be a very thin pale blue at first);
top of thorax not all white;
wings have a broad dark band 1/3 width, another smaller black area at the base; develops white area below this inner dark area;
immature (non-white) males with brown and yellow abdomen can easily be told from a female as they will have the broad wing bands
similar species: compare male in the desert
to male Desert Whitetail which is smaller and has more white on the wings and upper thorax;
Widow Skimmer has dark on wings next to body
female: sexually dimorphic; wings patterned differently than male's
fat brown body with a row of slightly slanted yellow side dashes that is not continuous;
3 dark spots each wing, including one at tip
similar species: female is very similar to 12-spotted Skimmer which has yellow stripe down side of abdomen that is straight and not dashed;
Comparison shot of females of 3 species: 8-spotted,
12-spotted Skimmers & Common Whitetail;
Desert Whitetail - 2 zig-zag stripes each wing;
Eight-spotted Skimmer female - only 2 dark patches on each wing
nymph: stout, robust, smooth
behavior: often perch on rocks in lakes or on or near the ground;
In 1955, M.E. Jacobs found that the white color of the male's
abdomen was used in display to other males in a contest for territory and that
its color did not influence female choice
habitat: lakes, marshes, streams, rivers at low-moderate elevations;
can tolerate very shallow water, including sites that have been trampled by livestock
CA flight period: April - October
distribution: statewide
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 153-154; pl. 34, 35
California Insects - p. 49 #24
CA&SW Dragonflies p.33
Dragonflies of Washington p. 24
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 171; pl. 28
Dragonflies N.A. p.91, 606, 782-785
Audubon Guide: White Tail plate 347
Dragonflies N.A. p. 91
Stokes Guide p. 126-7
*Photo at Common Dragonflies of Marin County by Rich Stallcup
*Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photo by Bob Miller at Southwest Birders
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, CA
*Photos at Eric Preston Photography, Dragonflies
*Photos at John Sterling Photography, Dragonflies
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photo of female by Dennis Paulson
at University of Puget Sound's "Odonata Photos"
*Scans of nymph by Dennis Paulson at University of Puget Sound's "Odonata Larva Photos"
*Photos by William Radke at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Scans by Forrest Mitchell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX, Texas
*Photo by James Lasswell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Bob Behrstock at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Curtis Williams at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata
*Photo by Roy Beckemeyer at Kansas Odonata
*Photos by David Westover at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photos by Randy Emmitt at Dragonflies of North Carolina
*Key to larva in Michigan, at UMMZ
Hoary Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
tandem ovipositing
tandem ovipositing
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
scan male
scan female
scan female
scan pruinose older female
wingspan 76 - 82 mm
male: body light blue with pale areas along sides;
thorax has two broken yellow stripes;
clear wings have a small dark area at the base and a small median spot at the nodus;
the basal dark wing area is surrounded by pale pruinosity;
no white on the wing further out;
female: grayish brown where male is blue with yellow dashes down the abdomen side;
wings like males' but no pale pruinosity
similar species: 8-spotted Skimmer has much larger wing spots;
4-spotted has a brown body that is tapered and brown on the wings
habitat: springs, slow streams; seeps
behavior: tandem oviposit (most Libellula don't)
CA flight period: late April - September
distribution: fairly rare, found in foothills
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 161-162; pl. 34, 35
CA&SW Dragonflies p.37
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 175-text; pl.29 picture
Dragonflies N.A. p.89, 703, 705, 718
*Photos at Ray Bruun, Odonata of Shasta Co.
*Photo pairs by Alan Wight at his California Dragonflies and Damselflies website
*Photo pairs by John Sterling at his Dragonflies and Damselflies website
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo in Nevada by Paul Johnson
*Scans male by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans female by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
Twelve-spotted Skimmer
aka Ten Spot
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo young male
photo immature male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photos females
photos females
scan male
scan female
scan female
scan teneral female
wingspan 84 - 92 mm
male: abdomen develops bluish-white pruinosity;
each wing has three large dark spots, including a dark spot at each wing tip;
as it ages, white areas of pruinosity develop between the dark spots;
female: body and thorax background color brown;
yellow stripes on thorax;
brown abdomen has a continuous yellow stripe on each side;
the wings show no white
similar species: 8-spotted Skimmer has clear wing tips; female 8-spotted develops white pruinosity on wings;
Comparison shot of 8 vs 12-spotted Skimmer males;
Comparison shot of 8-spotted & 12-spotted Skimmers &
Co. Whitetail females
habitat: shallow warm ponds, lakes, rivers
CA flight period: April - October
distribution: more common in central and northern CA
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 159-160; pl. 34, 35
CA Insects - p. 49 #25
CA&SW Dragonflies p.37
Dragonflies of Washington p. 24
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 173; pl. 29
Dragonflies N.A. p. 97, 703, 707-708, 714, 719, 782, 786
Audubon Guide: Twelve-spot Skimmer plate 348
Stokes Guide p. 39, 124-5
*Photo at Common Dragonflies of Marin County by Rich Stallcup
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at his Dragonflies & Damselflies website
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos at John Sterling Photography, Dragonflies
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos by Tom Murray at his California Dragonflies site
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by Steve Valley at Oregon Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scan comparing 12 to 8 Spotted Skimmers
at Dennis Paulson's WA Gallery
*Photo of female by Dennis Paulson
at University of Puget Sound's Odonata Photos
*Photo of male by William Radke
at The Dragonflies of New Mexico
*Photo by Allen Chamber at Odonata Photo Archive
*Scans by Forrest Mitchell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scan of nymph & exuvia, teneral photo
at Digital Dragonflies
*Photo by James Lasswell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Bob Behrstock at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Bob Behrstock
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Allen Chartier at Odonata Photo Archive, UMMZ
*Photo by Curtis Williams at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Vincent Hickey at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra
at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX
*Photos & scan by Ann Johnson at
Iowa Odonates
*Photos males by David Westover
at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Photo female by David Westover
at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata
*Photo by Dave McShaffrey
at Ohio Odonata
Four-spotted Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo males
photo female
photo female
wingspan 66 - 72 mm
male: olive to orange-ish brown body, thorax somewhat hairy;
dashed yellow markings on abdomen sides; abdomen darkens at end;
each wing has a small dark spot at nodus;
base of hind wing has a larger dark yellow/brown area which is somewhat triangular shape;
leading wing edges can be orange-ish;
female: very similar to male, a little less colorful
similar species: compare to other female Skimmers, but 4-spotted's wings are more colorful
habitat: slow waters of marshes, lakes, ponds, streams, rivers
CA flight period: late May - October
CA distribution: more common on the eastern side of the state;
one of the most widespread dragonflies of the world; common in Europe
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 158-159; pl. 26
CA&SW Dragonflies p.47
Dragonflies of Washington p. 25
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 174; pl. 29
Dragonflies N.A. p. 89, 703, 707, 720
Stokes Guide p. 15, 129
*Photo of damaged adult by Ron Lyons at Damsels and Dragons- the Insect Order Odonata
*Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photo by Alan Wight at at his California Dragonflies and Damselflies photo gallery
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by John Sterling at his Dragonflies Photography Website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photos in Nevada by Paul Johnson
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans of nymph by Dennis Paulson at University of Puget Sound's "Odonata Larva"
*Photos by David Westover
at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
Flame Skimmer
aka Belonia saturata
(Big) Red Skimmer
Firecracker Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male, side view
photo male
photos males
photo male
photo male
photo young male
photo male emerging
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female in flight
photo female ovipositing
wingspan 85 - 95 mm
male: all red! - body, eyes, face;
red legs; thorax unstriped red;
basal half of wings reddish (out to slightly beyond nodus with a streak along leading edge), red veins;
female: less colorful, especially the wings;
body peachy orange colored with a pale stripe top of thorax and between wings;
wings usually with red-orange color on leading edges and veins only;
male-colored form does exist (see scan)
similar species: Neon Skimmer's wing coloration does not reach
the nodus & its body is wider; Click here for comparison shot;
Cardinal Meadowhawk is smaller; holds wings forward when perched, not flat; shows more red, less orange on body;
wing color more disfuse
habitat: ponds, lakes and slow streams/pools of rivers
CA flight period: March - November;
in far southern areas of state possible from Feb. into December
distribution: very common through out state
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 167-168; pl. cover & 37
CA Insects - p. 49 #27
CA&SW Dragonflies p.12
CA & CA&SW Dragonflies - cover/dust jacket
LA Insects: Big Red Skimmer Fig 21, 22
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 181; pl. 32
Audubon Guide: Red Skimmer p. 360, 376
Dragonflies N.A. p. 89, 702-708, 712, 721
Stokes Guide p. 122
*Photo by Ron Lyons at Checklist of Odonata of California
*Photos by Stevem at Dragonfly Close-ups
*Photos at Photos by William Zittrich in California
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders
*Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photos at John Sterling's Odonata Photos
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by Dennis Paulson of male eating at his dragonfly biodiversity site
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photo by James Lasswell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Bob Behrstock at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photos by Curtis Williams at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
Desert Whitetail
aka Genus Plathemis
aka Western White Tail
photo male
photo male
photo young male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
scan mature male top; side
scan immature male top; side
scan male specimen
scan female top; side
wingspan 64 - 76 mm (smaller than Co. Whitetail)
male: gleaming white abdomen; top of thorax becomes all white;
wings - 2 zigzag black bands in middle third, usually show some dark shading between them;
develops a large amount of white on inside of wing near body; appendages dark;
immature males may show white pruinosity on wings before they develop white pruinosity on abdomens
similar species: compare male to male Common Whitetail which is larger and has less white on the wings; pale appendages
female: brown body with row of bright yellow spots high on each side;
dual zigzag stripes mid-wings (can rarely show dark between them); clear wingtips;
2 very pale, jagged thoracic stripes
habitat: marshes, pools, slow streams, springs, ditches in deserts, semi-deserts; frequents salt flats
CA flight period: May - September
distribution: look for it in Owens Valley & Modoc Co.
CA&SW Dragonflies p.32
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 172; pl. 28
Dragonflies N.A. p. 784-786
*Photos by Doug Aguillard at Dragonfly Photos Website
*Photos by Tom Murray at Dragonfly Photos Website
*Photos in Nevada by Paul Johnson
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by Dennis Paulson at Odonata Photo Gallery
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photos by Radke and Larsen at The New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Photo by Bob Behrstock
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
The Marl Pennant
Photo by Rosser Garrison
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 172
Marl Pennant
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
male: fat head; dark eyes; all dark body and abdomen
dark basal batch hind wing; smaller dark basal area on forewing
female: paler than male - top of abdomen and thorax golden brown;
sides of thorax have 3 pale areas; pale face; dark tip of abdomen;
wings like male's
similar species: compare to larger Black Saddlebags
habitat: brackish coastal ponds, desert oasis; a specialist on saline and especially alkaline habitats; highly saline tolerant but can live in freshwater
CA flight period: May - October
distribution: southern species (Colorado River & near Salton Sea)
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 172-173; pl. 39
CA&SW Dragonflies p.30
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 223; pl. 42
Dragonflies N.A. p.90, 598, 724-725
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by John Sterling at his Dragonflies of CA site
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Photo by William Radke
at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Photo male by Bob Behrstock
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo female by Bob Behrstock
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Joshua Stuart Rose
at his homepage
*Scans by Roy Beckemeyer
at Kansas Odonata
*Scans by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
*Photos by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
The Tropical King Skimmers
distribution: southern
Photo by Dave Biggs
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 168
Roseate Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photos males
photo male
photo winter males
photo immature male
photo pair
photo female
photo female
male: abdomen rose-pink colored; thorax fore-pink or bluish purple; tip of abd. can become red-orange;
wings - clear except tiny narrow tip with brown
female: orange-ish brown abdomen;
thorax brownish with light stripe along back;
side stripes on thorax look like outline of a `hill';
ovipositor flange readily noticeable;
narrow dark color on wing-tips
habitat: ponds, lakes, temporary pools, canals
CA flight period: May - January
distribution: southern species
since 1875 this species has spread from the Florida Keys to occurring
thru-out all the southern areas in the United States
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 168-169; pl. 32
CA&SW Dragonflies p.25
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 185; pl. 33
Dragonflies N.A. p. 90, 598, 600, 755-758
Stokes Guide p. 143
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders
*Photos by John Sterling at his Odonata Photos Website
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*Scans by Dennis Paulson at Washington Odonata Specimens
*Photo comparing with O. discolor by Dennis Paulson at University of Puget Sound's "Odonata Photos"
*Photos by Dave Biggs taken in Hawaii
*Scans s by Forrest Mitchell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX
*Photo by William Radke
at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Photos by Bob Behrstock
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Scan at Digital Dragonflies, Texas - FAMILY LIBELLULIDAE
*Photos by Joshua Stuart Rose
*Photos by Curtis Williams at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo female by James Lasswell at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo male by James Lasswell
*Photos by Dave McShaffrey at Ohio Odonata
*Scans by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
at his homepage, inc. one in spider's grip
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
The Dashers
Photo by Kathy Biggs
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 150
Blue Dasher
aka Swift Long-winged Skimmer
aka Blue Pirate
photo male
photo male
photo male
photos male
photos male
photos males
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
emergence photos of a male
photo female
photo female
photos females
photo female
photo female
photo female
photos young female
emergence photos of a female
wingspan to 48 - 50 mm
male: thorax and abdomen mostly pruinose blue; can have dark tip to abd.;
eyes blue-green; immature males have brown eyes;
distinctive white face with a black 'nose' spot;
in CA thorax turns all pruinose blue, elsewhere in US side stripes remain;
in CA wings are almost completely clear with just a hint of tawny color at
extreme base, elsewhere in US may develop a large orange-tinge basally;
sexually dimorphic;
similar species: Western Pondhawk - face color is green); see behavior note;
Comanche Skimmer has large bi-colored stigma;
Bleached Skimmer has brown spot at wing nodus
female: rectangular buff marks on a dark background; no other dragonfly is like it
habitat: ponds, marshes, lakes, streams, rivers - all slow waters
behavior: perch on vegetation several inches or feet above the water, unlike the very
similar male Western Pondhawk which often perches on or near ground;
both species tend to hold wings down and forward when at rest
CA flight period: April - November;
in far southern areas of CA possible in late Feb. & March during warm winters
distribution: very common statewide
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 150; pl. 33
CA&SW Dragonflies p.40
Dragonflies of Washington p. 25
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 210; pl. 39
Audubon Guide: Swift Long-winged Skimmer pl. 349 p.13
Dragonflies N.A. p. 90, 760-762
Stokes Guide p. 136-7
*Photo at Common Dragonflies of Marin County by Rich Stallcup
*Photos at Photos by William Zittrich in California
*Photos by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by Chris Heaivilin at his CA Compendium Odonata
*Photo(s) by Ray Bruun at Dragonflies & Damselflies of Shasta County, California
*Photos by Eric Preston at his Dragonfly photography website
*Photos by John Sterling at his Dragonfly photography website
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
*3 motion images
at Mink's Wildlife Images from Videos
*Photo by Joshua Rose his Dragonfly Pics site
*Scans by Dennis Paulson
at WA Odonata Photo Gallery
*Photo by William Radke
at New Mexico Dragonfly Notebook
*Scans by Forrest Mitchell
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photos by James Lasswell
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photo by Joshua Stuart Rose
at his homepage
*Photo by Omar Bocanegra
at Odonata of Tarrant County, TX
*Photo by Roy Beckemeyer
at Odonata Photo Album
*Photo by Allen Chamber
at Odonata Photo Archive
*Photos by Curtis Williams
at Digital Dragonflies, Texas
*Photos by David Westover
at Digital Dragonflies, Wisconsin
*Scans by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana)
*Photos by Gayle Strickland at his on-line Ode images (Louisiana) site
*Photo of nymph at Odonata Larvae of Michigan
*Photo by Paul D. Pratt at Ontario Odonata
*Photos by Allen Chartier
at AMALIA - Odonata: Dragonflies & Damselflies
The Red Rock Skimmer
Photo by Dave Biggs
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 170
Red Rock Skimmer
aka Rusty Skimmer
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo male
photo female
photo female
photo female
photo female
possibe migratory event
wingspan 90 - 95 mm
male: abdomen patterned intricately with dark red and black; face dark red and eyes rusty red;
rusty red on base of inner wings nearly out to nodus;
thorax can be olive-brown on sides;
female: intricate muted earth tone colors in bold batik-like pattern;
wings are clear with no red at all
similar species: compare to Flame Skimmer, Western Meadowhawk, Neon Skimmer, none of which have a patterned top of abdomen
habitat: rocky stream beds, even temporary ones; usually moving water;
also other streams/ponds in fairly arid areas
behavior: lands on rock sides in midstream;
male guards females during ovipositing from ~ 8 inches above
CA flight period: March - December
distribution: common only in suitable habitat
CA Dragons&Damsels p. 170, pl. 38
CA&SW Dragonflies p.14
Dragonflies - Binoculars p. 188; pl. 34
Audubon Guide:
Rusty Skimmer plate 375
Dragonflies N.A. p. 90 598, 607, 764-765
*Photos by Bob Miller &/or Henry Detwiler at South West Birders
*Photo by Douglas Aguillard at Dragonflies of San Diego & Imperial Counties
*Photos by John Sterling at his Odonata Photos website
*Photos by Don Roberson at his Monterey Odonata website
*Photos by Ron Hemberger or Peter J. Bryant at Odonata of Orange County
*Photos and scans at Dragonflies of the Southwest
The Rainpool Gliders </