Libellula saturata

Flame Skimmer

Introduction:

Males have a vibrant, carrot-orange body, legs, and eyes, with amber coloring on their wings. Females are typically paler, with a muted burnt-orange body and less extensive orange on their wings.
Life Cycle: Males are territorial and patrol for mates, while females are duller and solitary after laying eggs. Both adults and aquatic nymphs are voracious predators, feeding on insects and other small aquatic creatures, making them beneficial for pest control.

Size 1.9 to 2.4 inches (49-61 mm)
Sexual Dimorphism: true
Metamorphosis: incomplete (egg, aquatic nymph, adult)

Insect Data

Names and Taxonomy

Common Names: Flame Skimmer
Synonyms:
Order: Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
Family: Libellulidae (Chasers, Darters, Skimmers and Perchers)
Genus Information: 1 species in NV, 9 in CA, 30 in US

Distribution

Distribution: southwestern United States but can be found across the western US
Seen: Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve
Habitat: warm water sources like ponds, slow streams, and hot springs
Food: carnivores that hunt flying insects like mosquitoes, flies, and moths by perching and darting out to catch prey