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Widow Skimmer

Libellula luctuosa

Photo by BrianEdmond
Published on Project Noah
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37.3589, -93.4811

Field Notes

Description:

Scores of these buzzing around our wildflower garden (1/2 acre of native wildflowers).

Habitat:

Restored native prairie.

Species ID Suggestions

Widow Skimmer

Libellula luctuosa

Reference Link
ConorSheaWing
1

Comments (5)
ConorSheaWing
Okay I didn't see your first comment before I commented. I was saying that this spotting is a Female Widow Skimmer. I will leave comments for your other spottings you mentioned in a moment.
BrianEdmond
Is this spotting a male Widow Skimmer? http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/27340396
BrianEdmond
Great, thanks! Is the black coloring on the wings diagnostic for this species?
ConorSheaWing
Lack of blue on wings/abdomen, and having yellow stripes on abdomen indicate female.
BrianEdmond
Thanks for the ID. I have another Widow Skimmer from a previous spotting, but it looks different. The body is a completely different color (though the black bars on the wings are similar and the overall shape and size is the same). http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7744464 What do you think?

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Global Dragonflies & Damselflies
Photographed
PublishedJune 18, 2013

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