# Golden-winged Skimmer (*Libellula auripennis*) The Golden-winged Skimmer is a beautiful dragonfly with shiny golden wings. It loves to fly over ponds and lakes, catching tiny bugs to eat. Watching it zoom around is like seeing a little superhero in the sky! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Golden-winged Skimmer](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Golden-winged_Skimmer.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mike Ostrowski, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Golden-winged_Skimmer.jpg) ## Appearance The Golden-winged Skimmer has distinct golden-orange patches at the base of its wings, especially on the hindwings. Its body is typically yellowish-brown, maturing to a reddish-brown in older males, contrasting with their large, dark eyes. This golden wing coloration helps distinguish it. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Libellula ## Interesting facts - A single Golden-winged Skimmer can eat hundreds of mosquitoes in just one day! - Dragonflies were among the very first winged insects to ever exist on Earth millions of years ago! - Dragonfly babies, called naiads, live underwater for years, breathing with gills! - They can fly backwards, sideways, and even hover perfectly still, just like a tiny helicopter! ## Special abilities - **Hovering Hunter:** Golden-winged Skimmer can expertly hover and fly in all directions because of powerful, independently controlled wings. - **Super Sight:** Golden-winged Skimmer has enormous compound eyes that provide almost 360-degree vision, helping them spot tiny prey. - **Instant Snatcher:** Golden-winged Skimmer can snatch flying insects mid-air using its spiny legs, which form a handy basket. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 60-80 mm - **Size:** 44-58 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-90 days - **Flight Speed:** 25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These skillful aerial hunters feast on smaller flying insects. - **Age differences:** Larvae are aquatic predators, eating small aquatic invertebrates and tadpoles; adults hunt flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** mosquitoes, flies, midges, small moths, gnats - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Mosquito (*Aedes aegypti*) — Reduces mosquito populations. - **Eats:** Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Feeds on abundant aquatic midges. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — Caught by aerial bird predators. - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — Adults and larvae consumed by frogs. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Dragonflies are friendly and won't hurt you, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Golden-winged 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 Golden-winged Skimmer's wingspan? 60-80 mm ### How big is Golden-winged Skimmer? 44-58 mm ### How long does Golden-winged Skimmer live? 30-90 days ### How fast can Golden-winged Skimmer fly? 25 km/h ### What does Golden-winged Skimmer eat? These skillful aerial hunters feast on smaller flying insects. ### Where is Golden-winged Skimmer usually found? Wetlands ### How does Golden-winged Skimmer hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Rock Springs Run State Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rock-springs-run-state-reserve) — Florida, US · State Park - [Singletary Lake State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/singletary-lake-state-park) — North Carolina, 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: [Golden-winged Skimmer: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-winged-skimmer)