# Elfin Skimmer (*nannothemis bella*) The Elfin Skimmer (Nannothemis bella) holds the proud title of being the smallest dragonfly in North America. Measuring barely two centimeters in length, this minuscule insect is a true gem of pristine wetlands. Found primarily in acidic bogs, fens, and cedar swamps across eastern North America, it relies heavily on calm, shallow water sheltered by dense sedges and sphagnum moss. Despite its diminutive size, the Elfin Skimmer is an active and fascinating predator, performing agile aerial maneuvers to catch tiny insects just above the water's surface. What makes this species particularly captivating is its striking sexual dimorphism and its specialized habitat requirements, which make it a key indicator of high-quality wetland ecosystems. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Found in acidic, sphagnum-dominated bogs, fens, and marshy seepages with shallow, standing water and abundant sedges. ![Elfin Skimmer](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/2693284/medium.JPG) Photo: Nick Block, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/2693284) ## Appearance This tiny dragonfly is easily recognized by its extremely small size, with a body length averaging only 2 cm and a delicate wingspan. Mature males feature a highly distinct, powdery, pale blue (pruinose) abdomen paired with a dark thorax. In contrast, females exhibit a striking black-and-yellow striped pattern on their abdomen, which closely mimics the appearance of a small wasp to deter potential predators. Both sexes possess clear wings with a dark spot (pterostigma) near the tip, and they fly with a low, weak, fluttering flight pattern close to the vegetation. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Nannothemis ## Interesting facts - It is the smallest dragonfly in North America, with a total body length that is often shorter than a standard paperclip. - Male Elfin Skimmers are highly territorial and will vigorously defend patches of moss as small as a square meter from rival males. - Unlike most dragonflies that fly high and fast, the Elfin Skimmer rarely flies higher than a few inches above the wetland moss. ## Special abilities - **Wasp Mimicry:** Females sport bold black and yellow stripes, mimicking stinging wasps to ward off avian and insect predators. - **Micro-Hovering:** Utilizes a highly maneuverable, low-altitude flight pattern that allows it to hover and navigate through dense sedge stems without colliding. - **Thermal Regulation:** Perches on dark vegetation or moss at specific angles to rapidly absorb morning sunlight, boosting its body temperature for early-day hunting. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 1+ cm - **Wingspan:** 2+ cm - **Weight:** 0.00003+ kg - **Lifespan:** 1+ years - **Speed:** 8 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 50+ - **Incubation:** 10+ days ## Diet & Feeding The Elfin Skimmer is an opportunistic carnivore, preying on miniature flying insects close to the water surface, while its aquatic nymphs hunt tiny water invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** Mosquitoes, Midges, Thrips, Small flies - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit Slide And Catch Style Hunting From A Perch. This Dragonfly Darts Out From A Twig To Capture Prey In The Air. Only Adults Hunt Like This. See Diet Changes For Nymphs. Description: Dragonfly Perches On Grass And Darts At Passing Insects. Note: We List Pursuit As Hunt Method. Let's Simplify: Pursuit. Let's Adjust Slightly: 'pursuit'. Let's Keep It Simple. It's 'pursuit'. Let's Avoid Any Errors. Yes, 'pursuit'. Let's Write 'pursuit' Or 'ambush' As Per The Permitted Types. I Will Use 'pursuit'. Let's Write: "pursuit" For Huntingmethod. Let's Use Simple List: \["mosquitoes","midges","thrips","small Flies"\] For Primary Foods. Let's Write "pursuit" For Huntingmethod. No Nested Objects Inside Main Fields That Shouldn't Be. Checked. Let's Verify Diet Changes With Age. Let's Write: "larvae Live Underwater And Feed On Microscopic Aquatic Organisms And Tiny Insect Larvae, While Adults Exclusively Catch Flying Insects In The Air." ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Chironomid Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Preys on emerging adult midges near the bog's surface. - **Eaten by:** [Six-spotted Fishing Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/six-spotted-fishing-spider) (*Dolomedes triton*) — Predator that catches adult Elfin Skimmers as they fly low over moss. - **Eaten by:** [Common Green Darner](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-green-darner) (*Anax junius*) — Larger dragonfly that opportunistically preys on the tiny Elfin Skimmer. ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Elfin Skimmer? Compare wing shape and resting posture, where the eyes sit, body markings and the tail segments. Males and females can look very different in color. Dragonfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Elfin Skimmer? 1+ cm ### What is Elfin Skimmer's wingspan? 2+ cm ### How much does Elfin Skimmer weigh? 0.00003+ kg ### How long does Elfin Skimmer live? 1+ years ### How fast can Elfin Skimmer move? 8 km/h ### What does Elfin Skimmer eat? The Elfin Skimmer is an opportunistic carnivore, preying on miniature flying insects close to the water surface, while its aquatic nymphs hunt tiny water invertebrates. ### Where is Elfin Skimmer usually found? Found in acidic, sphagnum-dominated bogs, fens, and marshy seepages with shallow, standing water and abundant sedges. ## Where to spot - [Kal-Haven Trail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kal-haven-trail) — Michigan, US · Trail - [Grandma Lake Wetlands State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grandma-lake-wetlands-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Elfin Skimmer: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elfin-skimmer)