Libellula pulchella

Drury, 1773

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Libellula pulchella, commonly known as the Twelve-spotted Skimmer, is a widespread North American in the Libellulidae. Research has documented distinctive postcopulatory where males perform noncontact guarding of mates, though guarding is frequently abandoned when males pursue rivals. Females employ multiple behavioral tactics to minimize male harassment during oviposition, including rapid escape and repeated short-interval returns to water. A protozoan gut has been observed to cause metabolic effects in this , producing flight muscle changes functionally similar to obesity in vertebrates.

Libellula pulchella by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Libellula pulchella: /lɪˈbɛl.ju.la pʊlˈkɛl.la/

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Habitat

Aquatic and riparian environments with water access required for oviposition. Associated with water bodies where females deposit .

Distribution

North America, including southern Canada and all 48 contiguous United States.

Host Associations

Protozoan gut parasite - Causes metabolic phenotype with effects on muscle function resembling vertebrate obesity

Behavior

Males perform noncontact postcopulatory guarding of mates but frequently abandon guarding to chase other males. Females use rapid escape , repeated short-interval return visits to water, perching when severely harassed, and proceeding with mating when clasped to minimize male interference with oviposition. Flight muscle power output and optimal cycle frequency are reduced in individuals infected by gut .

More Details

Research significance

L. pulchella has been used as a model organism for studying metabolic effects in natural insect systems, with -induced changes in muscle providing comparative insights into vertebrate obesity physiology.