Names and Taxonomy
- Common Names: Widow Skimmer
- Synonyms:
- Order: Odonata (Predatory Flying Insects)
- Family: Libellulidae (Dragonflies)
- Genus Information: 5 species in NV, 6 in CA, 25-30 in US
Libellula luctuosa
Widow Skimmer
Introduction:
Widow skimmers have large bulky bodies, with large heads. Adults have a steely blue body area but juveniles are yellow with brown stripes.[2] Eyes are also large and close together meeting in the middle of the head.[3] They have three pairs of legs. Legs are black in color. They have two pairs of wings, forewings and hindwings. Wings of both sexes are marked with prominent black basal bands. They keep their wings extended over their bodies. They also have a slight white hue on their abdomen and thorax.
Life Cycle:
Size 1.7 to 2.0 inches (4.3 to 5 cm)
Sexual Dimorphism: Transparent wings on males and females have similar thick black bands on either side, but males have a long abdomen that is light powdery blue, but females are yellow and black.
Metamorphosis: incomplete (egg, larva, adult)
