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Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Libellula pulchella

The Twelve-spotted Skimmer is a colorful dragonfly with twelve black spots on its wings. It loves to fly around ponds and lakes, making it a fun sight to see on sunny days!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Twelve-spotted Skimmer has a dark body with yellow markings. Its most distinctive feature is three dark spots on each of its four clear wings. Males also develop striking white patches between these spots, while females and young males have yellowish-orange patches that fade with age.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyLibellulidaeGenusLibellula
Twelve-spotted Skimmer
spotted trait badgesolitary trait badgeaerial trait badgecolorful trait badge
Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Each of its four wings can move independently, making it a master of agile flight!

Its underwater babies, called nymphs, are fierce predators with extendable jaws!

The Twelve-spotted Skimmer can eat hundreds of mosquitoes in just one day!

This amazing insect lived on Earth even before the first dinosaurs appeared!

Special abilities

Ability

Aerial Acrobatics

Twelve-spotted Skimmer can fly with incredible agility because each wing moves independently, helping them snatch prey mid-flight.

Ability

Predator Vision

Twelve-spotted Skimmer has huge compound eyes that give it almost 360-degree vision, helping them spot tiny flying insects.

Ability

Underwater Hunter

Twelve-spotted Skimmer nymphs have an extendable lower jaw that shoots out like a mask to ambush and grab aquatic prey.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
80-110 mm
Size
48-63 mm
Lifespan
30-60 days
Flight Speed
50 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

This swift hunter zips through the air to snatch up tasty flying insects!

Age differences: Nymphs hunt aquatic insects and tadpoles underwater; adults hunt flying insects in the air.

Primary Foods

  • mosquitoes
  • flies
  • midges
  • moths
  • butterflies
  • smaller dragonflies

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

House Fly

Musca domestica

eats flying insects like flies

eaten by

American Bullfrog

Rana catesbeiana

adult skimmers are prey for frogs

eaten by

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

fish prey on the aquatic nymphs

depends on

Common Cattail

Typha latifolia

nymphs hide in its submerged roots

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

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

What is Twelve-spotted Skimmer's wingspan?

80-110 mm

How big is Twelve-spotted Skimmer?

48-63 mm

How long does Twelve-spotted Skimmer live?

30-60 days

How fast can Twelve-spotted Skimmer fly?

50 km/h

What does Twelve-spotted Skimmer eat?

This swift hunter zips through the air to snatch up tasty flying insects!

Where is Twelve-spotted Skimmer usually found?

Wetlands

How does Twelve-spotted Skimmer hunt?

Ambush

How many legs does Twelve-spotted Skimmer have?

6

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