OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Libellula ("dragonfly") luctuosa ("mourning")
Adult male Widow skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) at St. Charles, Illinois - August 2024
Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: ? / Length: 2.4-3.2cm / Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern
A species associated with bodies of water with muddy layers at the bottom such as ponds, lakes and slow running streams. The male can be differentiated by the white markings on the wings which the females lack. The most common explanation for the name is the black colouration, however, I've seen references online claiming “This dragonfly got the “widow” name because, unlike most other dragonfly species where the male stays near the female after she lays the eggs, the male in this pair leaves her after the eggs have been laid.” - however to me this sounds likely apocryphal.
Related Species:
Order: Odonata
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Libellula
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic
- Sighting Locations -
UNITED STATES - Found across most of the Lower 48, excluding the Rockies, Florida and the Northern Plains
- CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Illinois
Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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