Golden-winged Skimmer

Libellula auripennis

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Libellula auripennis: /laɪˈbɛljʊlə ˌɔːrɪˈpɛnɪs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Libellula auripennis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Libellula auripennis by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Golden-winged Skimmer female Libellula auripennis (25538881188) by gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Libellula auripennis P1010306a by xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Libellula auripennis by pondhawk. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Libellula auripennis P1010310a by xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Libellula auripennis, the golden-winged skimmer, is a species of skimmer in the family Libellulidae found in North America.

Physical Characteristics

Length 5 cm; Male has mostly orange body.

Identification Tips

Very similar, if not indistinguishable in the field, from Needham's Skimmer which is restricted to the coastal southeastern United States.

Habitat

Grassy ponds, ditches, slow streams.

Distribution

Eastern United States, northern Mexico.

Diet

Predatory on flying insects.

Life Cycle

May to August in northeast, February to November in Florida.

Conservation Status

LC (Least Concern) - population is stable with no immediate threat to survival.

Similar Taxa

Tags

  • Libellula
  • golden-winged skimmer
  • Odonata
  • dragonfly