Eight-spotted skimmer

The eight-spotted skimmer (Libellula forensis) is a dragonfly of the skimmer family.

Eight-spotted skimmer
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Libellula
Species:
L. forensis
Binomial name
Libellula forensis
Hagen, 1861 [2]
Range of L. forensis [3]

Description

This dragonfly features the standard skimmer body form, and earns its name from the eight black markings on the wings. It is similar to the twelve-spotted skimmer, but lacks the black markings on the wing tips of that species. Males are additionally adorned with a total of eight opaque white spots. It can be found west of the Rocky Mountains near muddy bottomed ponds and lakes.[4] East of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, some females may also have white spots, making them the only female dragonflies in North American with white spots on the wings.[5] The total length is 44 to 50 mm. Flight season is April through October.[4][5]

References
  1. Paulson, D.R. (2017). "Libellula forensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T51275487A65836549. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T51275487A65836549.en. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  2. "Libellula forensis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
  3. "Distribution Viewer". OdonataCentral. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2009.
  4. Abbott, John C. (2005). Dragonflies and Damselflies of Texas and the South-Central United States. Princeton University Press. p. 271. ISBN 0-691-11364-5.
  5. Dunkle, Sidney W. (2000). Dragonflies Through Binoculars. Oxford University Press. pp. 297–298. ISBN 0-19-511268-7.

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