Needham's Skimmer
Libellula needhami
This record describes Libellula needhami (species). Recorded family: Libellulidae. Recorded order: Odonata.
Identification and Appearance
Gayle & Jeanell have just done some nice work figuring out the differences between needhami and auripennis, which can be found here . Gayle reports For highest resolution, click on get original uploaded photo, which appears below each image. The high resolution files are 400-450K and might take a while to download with a dial-up connection. If your monitor resizes these higher resolution images, the full size can be restored by clicking on the expand icon which usually appears in the lower right corner of the resized image. Males are best separated from male Golden-Wings by redder face and body, along with brown lower hindlegs and less orange wings. Female and juvenile male Needham's best separated from Golden-Wings by lateral thoracic pattern, augmented by the two-toned costa.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies)
- Suborder
- Anisoptera
- Family
- Libellulidae (Skimmers)
- Genus
- Libellula
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Breeds in brackish, mineralized, or fertilized waters, including marshes, lakes, ponds, tidal rivers, and canals.
Geographic Range
Gulf and U.S. Atlantic Coast, common.
About Dragonflies and Damselflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Odonata, the group containing Libellula needhami. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Odonata includes ~6,000 described species of dragonflies and damselflies. Dragonflies are among the fastest flying insects, reaching 36 mph (58 km/h). They can fly in any direction including backward, and hover in place - each wing operates independently.
Ecological role of the group
Dragonflies predate dinosaurs by nearly 100 million years - fossils date to 325 million years ago. The largest dragonfly ancestor, Meganeuropsis permiana (285 mya), had a 75cm wingspan, enabled by atmospheric oxygen levels of 31-35% compared to today's 21%. Dragonflies have a 95% hunting success rate - the highest of any predator.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Dragonflies are voracious predators that consume hundreds of mosquitoes daily, providing natural pest control worth millions in reduced mosquito-borne disease risk. A single dragonfly can eat 30 to hundreds of mosquitoes per day.
Recorded sources for this group: Natural History Museum London, Britannica, fossil record research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Needham's Skimmer (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by cotinis , john and jane balaban
Frequently Asked Questions About Needham's Skimmer
What is Needham's Skimmer?
Needham's Skimmer (Libellula needhami) is a species in the family Libellulidae, within the order Odonata.
How big is Needham's Skimmer?
5 cm
How do you identify Needham's Skimmer?
Gayle & Jeanell have just done some nice work figuring out the differences between needhami and auripennis, which can be found here . Gayle reports For highest resolution, click on get original uploaded photo, which appears below each image. The high resolution files are 400-450K and might take a while to download with a dial-up connection. If your monitor resizes these higher resolution images, the full size can be restored by clicking on the expand icon which usually appears in the lower right corner of the resized image.
Where is Needham's Skimmer found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Breeds in brackish, mineralized, or fertilized waters, including marshes, lakes, ponds, tidal rivers, and canals. |
| Range | Gulf and U.S. Atlantic Coast, common. |