Fauna
Insect

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Libellula pulchella

Twelve-spotted Skimmers are large active dragonflies with three dark patches on each of four clear wings. Mature males add broad white patches between the dark marks and develop a powdery pale abdomen.

dragonflywetlandwing-spotted
Twelve-spotted Skimmer reference1 / 7
D. Gordon E. Robertson / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyMosquitoes, midges, small flies
Predators
  • birds
  • frogs
  • larger dragonflies
ThreatsWetland drainage, polluted water, shoreline clearing, and pesticide exposure
HabitatsPonds, marshes, lakes, and slow water with sunny open margins
Life spanAquatic nymphs develop for one to two years; adults live for several weeks
Classification
  1. OrderOdonata
  2. FamilyLibellulidae
  3. GenusLibellula
  4. SpeciesLibellula pulchella
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
They do not sting and normally fly away when approached.
Responsible observation
  • Identify: Count three dark spots per wing and check males for white patches.
  • Watch: Follow patrol routes to a repeated sunny perch near water.
Related species

Related species have not been added yet.

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Found in Collections

Ecosystem chain

Wetland Territory

Twelve-spotted Skimmer is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.

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