# Widow Skimmer (*Libellula luctuosa*) The Widow Skimmer is a dragonfly with a unique black-and-white pattern on its wings. They are often seen resting on branches! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 94 - **Habitat:** Ponds and lakes - **Also known as:** Black-shouldered Skimmer, Widow Dragonfly ![Widow Skimmer](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426170/objects/5506.jpg) ## Appearance The Widow Skimmer is a medium-sized dragonfly. Males have striking dark patches at the base of their hindwings, followed by broad white patches, and a body often covered in powdery blue. Females are yellowish-brown with dark wing bases but lack the white patches. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Odonata - **Family:** Libellulidae - **Genus:** Libellula ## Interesting facts - An adult skimmer can eat thousands of tiny insects, including mosquitoes, in its short life! - Male Widow Skimmers are fierce defenders, often patrolling the same sunny spots all day. - The "widow" in their name comes from the dark wing patches that look like mourning clothes! - Their underwater babies, called nymphs, can use "jet propulsion" to escape predators! ## Special abilities - **Acrobatic Flight:** Widow Skimmers can hover and fly backward because of their independent wing control that helps them chase and escape. - **Amphibious Life:** Widow Skimmer larvae can breathe underwater because of gills that allow them to live as aquatic hunters for years. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 70-90 mm - **Size:** 45-55 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-60 days - **Flight Speed:** 30 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Tiny flying insects like mosquitoes and flies are a favorite meal for this speedy hunter. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat aquatic insects, small tadpoles, and even tiny fish, while adults only eat flying insects. - **Primary Foods:** Mosquitoes, Flies, Midges, Small moths - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Common Malaria Mosquito (*Anopheles quadrimaculatus*) — Adult skimmers help control mosquito populations. - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — They are expert hunters of many types of flying insects. - **Eaten by:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — Fish will prey on both nymphs and adult dragonflies. - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Frogs ambush adult dragonflies when they perch. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Widow 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 Widow Skimmer's wingspan? 70-90 mm ### How big is Widow Skimmer? 45-55 mm ### How long does Widow Skimmer live? 30-60 days ### How fast can Widow Skimmer fly? 30 km/h ### What does Widow Skimmer eat? Tiny flying insects like mosquitoes and flies are a favorite meal for this speedy hunter. ### Where is Widow Skimmer usually found? Ponds and lakes ### How does Widow Skimmer hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Americus Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/americus-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Ames Nowell State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ames-nowell-state-park) — Massachusetts, US · State Park - [Black Creek Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-creek-park) — New York, US · Park - [Burke Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burke-lake-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Chadwick Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chadwick-arboretum) — Ohio, US · Botanical Garden - [Chambers County Courthouse Square Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chambers-county-courthouse-square-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District [View all places to see Widow Skimmer](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/widow-skimmer) ## 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: [Widow Skimmer: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/widow-skimmer)