Black-tailed Skimmer (Orthetrum cancellatum)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Orthetrum (?) cancellatum ("latticed")

Adult Black-tailed Skimmer (subspecies O. c. cancellatum) at Rainham Marshes, London - July 2011

Featured Subspecies: Orthetrum cancellatum cancellatum
Length: 44-50mm  /  Wingspan: 77mm
UK Status: Not Evaluated / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The male is one of the attractive blue species of dragonfly found in this country, while the female is yellow and black. Differentiated from the other similarly coloured species by the specifics of the black and the bodyshape, it apparently favours bodies of water with open edges where it can land.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata 
Family: Libellulidae 
Genus: Orthetrum 
SUBSPECIES: O. c. cancellatum, O. c. kraepelini, O. c.orientale

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common resident species which is seen in Summer

 - Seen in Rainham Marshes and various other sites

Further Notes:  BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Eight-spotted skimmer (Libellula forensis)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Libellula ("dragonfly") forensis

Adult Eight-spotted skimmer (Libellula forensis) in Montana, USA- July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: ?  /  Length: 44-50mm  /  Wingspan: ?
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A species largely of the Western United States found from South Dakota into Alberta in the North and California in the South. They are on the wing from April to October. The spotting of the name refers to the dark spots on each side, however, it is also noteworthy in this regard as one of the few skimmer species to have white wing spots on both male and female individuals. It is a near endemic of the USA, only just crossing the Canadian border.

Related Species:
Order: Odonata 
Family: Libellulidae 
Genus: Libellula 
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Found in Western Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Montana

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Widow skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)

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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