Widow Skimmer 6456 - a photo on Flickriver

Widow Skimmer 6456

            Our old friend the Widow Skimmer returns after a two week absence from the swamp. Maybe it was getting to frenetic for him or maybe his potential mates had moved on. They are some of the earliest to emerge and, hence, breed.

This one is in fine shape and hasn't been patrolling long. Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) is one of the group of dragonflies known as king skimmers. The nymphs live in the water, molting and growing until they are ready to emerge from the water and then molting a final time to reveal their wings.

Widow skimmers have large bulky bodies, with large head. Adults have a steely blue body area but juveniles are yellow with brown stipes. Eyes are also large and close together meeting in the middle of the head. They have three pairs of legs, all black in color. They have two pairs of wings: forewings and hindwings. Wings of both sexes are marked with prominent black basal bands. They keep their wings extended over their bodies. Adult males develop broad white spots at midwing as they mature. The abdomen measures 24–32 mm.They also have a slight white - though I have found more "baby blue" - hue on their abdomen and thorax. This species can be found commonly across the United States (except in the higher Rocky Mountains areas) and in southern Ontario and Quebec. 

They are predators that prey on other insects such as mosquitoes. They catch their prey using their legs and use their fangs to bring prey into their mouth.

The process of reproduction is known as "in tandem." Position themselves to form a wheel or heart shape before sperm is transferred.

Taken in: United States / California / Walnut Creek (show map)

Taken on: July 1, 2020

Tags:

Widow Skimmer

Libellula luctuosa

Northern California near Mt. Diablo

Canon SX50

Sets appears in: • Dragonflies & Damselflies

Groups appears in: • Dragonflies • Insect Photography more » • For The Love Of Dragonflies • Odonata • Explore/INTERESTINGNESS Group • FLICKR INSECTS • Damselflies • Spectacular Insects • Cool insect photos • Insects - NO VIDEO • North American Odonata • Dragonfly & Damselfly Moments (P 1 - A 2) • America Dragonfly • Just Insects • Damsels and Dragons • Damselflies from around the world • Insects, Bugs, and Butterflies • Realm of the Insect • Amazing Insects! • .: Dragonfly & Damselfly Addicts :. « less

Camera: Canon PowerShot SX50 HS, f/6.5, 1/800 sec, 193.4mm, ISO 200 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Aperture:	f/6.5
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/800)
Focal Length:	193.4mm
ISO:	200
Exposure Bias:	-1 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	ACDSee Pro 6
Show full info

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