Flame Skimmer

Libellula saturata

The Flame Skimmer is a bright orange dragonfly that loves to fly near ponds and lakes. They are fun to watch as they zoom around and can even hover in the air!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Flame Skimmer male is strikingly vivid reddish-orange, with matching wing venation that gives it a fiery appearance. Females are duller, yellowish-brown, often sporting amber-tinted wings with dark spots near the tips. This intense fiery red sets the male apart from most other dragonflies.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyLibellulidaeGenusLibellula

Photo: Regular DaddyCC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Flame Skimmer

Interesting facts

Flame Skimmers have 30,000 tiny lenses in their eyes, seeing almost all around them!

Male Flame Skimmers fiercely guard their watery territories from other dragonflies!

Their babies, called nymphs, live underwater for months before transforming into adults!

They are expert sun-bathers, warming up on rocks to get ready for high-speed flight!

Special abilities

Flame Skimmer can snatch flying insects mid-air because of their incredible speed and maneuverability, helping them catch food.

Flame Skimmer has massive compound eyes that wrap around their head, helping them spot prey or predators from almost every angle.

Flame Skimmer can control each of their four wings independently, allowing them to hover, fly backward, and turn instantly.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 70-100 mm
Size: 45-65 mm
Lifespan: 30-90 days
Flight Speed: 35 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Tiny flying insects are their favorite snack, caught right out of the air!

Age differences: Nymphs eat aquatic invertebrates, while adults hunt flying insects.

Primary Foods

mosquitoes
gnats
flies
midges
small moths

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

Hunts

Yellow fever mosquito

Aedes aegypti

Helps control mosquito populations near water.

Eaten by

American Bullfrog

Lithobates catesbeianus

Adults can become a meal for hungry frogs.

Eaten by

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

Nymphs are a food source for fish in ponds.

Hunts

Common Midge

Chironomus plumosus

An adult consumes many midges daily.

Traits

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Aerial

Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.

Diurnal

Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

Freshwater

Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.

Speedster

This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.

Pollinator

Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

Also known as

Flame Dragonfly

Collections

Insects

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Be careful not to disturb dragonflies when you see them near water.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Flame 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.

What is Flame Skimmer's wingspan?

70-100 mm

How big is Flame Skimmer?

45-65 mm

How long does Flame Skimmer live?

30-90 days

How fast can Flame Skimmer fly?

35 km/h

What does Flame Skimmer eat?

Tiny flying insects are their favorite snack, caught right out of the air!

Where is Flame Skimmer usually found?

Wetlands