Widow Skimmer

The widow skimmer is a medium-sized dragonfly widespread across much of the United States and southern Canada, easily recognized by the broad dark brown-to-black patches at the base of each wing, said to resemble the mourning veil of a widow. Mature males add a distinctive powdery white band beyond this dark patch, while females and immature individuals keep clear or lightly marked wings.

The species is a frequent sight perched on grass stems, twigs, and shrubs around ponds and lakes, where it makes short darting flights to catch flying insects and where males actively patrol territory along the shoreline.

• Medium dragonfly, body length about 4.5–5 cm
• Wide dark brown-black patches at the base of each wing, present in both sexes
• Mature males add a powdery white band on the wing beyond the dark patch, plus a pale blue, pruinose abdomen
• Females and immatures have a brown abdomen with pale yellow side stripes and lack the added white wing band
• Distinguished from the common whitetail by the combination of dark wing-base patches (both sexes) and, in males, an additional white band

Found around ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams with open, well-vegetated shorelines across much of the United States and southern Canada.

Perches on grass stems, twigs, and shrubs near water, making short sallies out to catch flying insects before returning to the same perch. Males patrol and defend territory along shorelines, using their wing patterns in visual displays toward rivals and potential mates. It preys on mosquitoes, flies, and other small flying insects.

Eggs are laid in water among aquatic plants. Aquatic nymphs prey on small invertebrates and other aquatic life, developing over several months to about a year depending on climate. Nymphs crawl out of the water to molt into winged adults, typically producing one generation per year in cooler regions and more in warmer climates.