Widow Skimmer

Widow Skimmer, Libellula luctuosa (Adult Male)

The Widow Skimmer is a common sight along bodies of water during the hot summer season, in all parts of the United States with the exception of higher elevations. The adult male can be identified by the steel blue body coloration, while the juveniles and females are a drab brown color. The easiest way to identify this particular species is by the wing pattern - black, white, then clear. The nymph of the dragonfly can be found among the mud of calm streams, ponds, and the like. They live in this stage of their life cycle for a few years before metamorphosis into an adult, with only a couple of months left of life. The legs of the adult are used to form a basket-like arrangement to catch their prey.

This particular guy was photographed at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge.