Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)

Elk Grove, IL
2012-06-06

The Widow Skimmer is a North American skimmer dragonfly. It is a member of Libellulidae family. The wings of the Widow Skimmer are marked with basal black patches and small spots (pterostigma). The female do not have white patches on its wings.

Elk Grove, IL
2012-06-06

The male has white patches of the wings. The photo shows the markings "glow" in the shadow.

Elk Grove, IL
2012-06-19

The white markings of the wing becomes more prominent as the male matures. Its body turns to bluish white as well as the thorax.

The photo shows the wing venation of the Widow Skimmer. The taller-than-wide triangle pattern is one of the characteristics of the venation of all Libellulidae family dragon flies.

The forewings and hindwings of the dragonflies are connected to different muscles and it can move them in different ways. The photo shows the Widow Skimmer resting on a twig with mid and hind legs, with its forelegs folded.

The skimmers are territorial. This individual occupy a particular corner of the field. On a fine day, this individual rested on the twig, made a hunting trip, and came back with a pray and ate it there.

The photo shows the anatomy of the 'face' of dragonflies. The upper portion is called frons. The part below the frons is called clypeus. The 'lip' like labrum covers the mouth part. The antenna of dragonflies is short; they basically catch the prey by sight.