#Twelve-spotted Skimmer

[speakingofnature]

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

This common dragonfly can normally be found in Iowa for almost five months of the year, yet I never tire of watching one put on a show.

#Twelve-spotted Skimmer #nature

[annapolisrose]

Twelve Spotted Skimmer (the same individual in each instance.)

#twelve spotted skimmer #dragonfly #rural #delta #greater vancouver #local #photographers on tumblr #original photograhers

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Dragonflies of Ontario - Order Odonata

In honor of the Lunar New Year - which this year is the Year of the Dragon - I have a compilation post showcasing some of the Dragonflies that call Ontario their home and hunting grounds! Just like the New Year's Post, the pictures found here haven't been uploaded to the blog before. Although similar in shape and form, these Odonates differ vastly across sizes, color and ferocity. Some even have patterned wings which can be different whether male or female and how old they are! Most of them in the wilderness, in close proximity to (un-pictured) water sources; it's far easier to photograph when they are close, rather than darting across a lake in pursuit of another insect. The specimens here consist of many familiar species across the many families within the Infraorder known as Anisoptera. Any guesses on the exact number of family classifications featured in this post? To answer that question: look closely at, no...behold these colorful, powerful and majestic Dragonflies:

Autumn Meadowhawk - Sympetrum vicinum (Sept 18, 2018)

Twelve-Spotted Skimmer - Libellula pulchella (June 30th, 2019)

Lancet Clubtail - Phanogomphus exilis (June 25th, 2022)

Common Whitetail (female) - Plathemis lydia (May 25th, 2021)

Common Whitetail (immature male) - Plathemis lydia (June 16th, 2021)

Common Whitetail (male) - Plathemis lydia (August 9th, 2023)

Green Darner - Anax junius (September 27th, 2019)

Ruby Meadowhawk - Sympetrum rubicundulum (August 29, 2019)

Blue Dasher ("tween" male) - Pachydiplax longipennis (July 30th, 2020)

Blue Dasher (female) - Pachydiplax longipennis (August 2nd, 2020)

Pictures taken prior to 2020 were made with a Samsung Galaxy S4, except for the Green Darner which was photographed with an iPhone 8 by a near and dear friend. Pictures taken during 2020 onward were captured with a Google Pixel 4.

Have a Happy Year of the Dragon and continue to enjoy an amazing 2024! Now, let's see what new Dragon-related insects will join the blog next! For all bug-hunters out there, take extra care not to confuse the Dragons in Pictures 2 and 4.

#jonny's insect catalogue #ontario insect #dragonfly #odonata #autumn meadowhawk #lancet clubtail #green darner #ruby meadowhawk #whitetail dragonfly #twelve spotted skimmer #blue dasher #skimmer dragonfly #darner dragonfly #clubtail dragonfly #insect #lunar new year #happy lunar new year #year of the dragon #year of the dragon 2024 #toronto #muskoka #kleinburg #nature #entomology #invertebrates

[onenicebugperday]

@galacticnova3​ submitted: Some nice bugs of 2022, all located in Texas. IDs welcome!

•Trained attack moth/potato fairy, possibly a white-dotted prominent?

•A very expressive-looking katydid who would be at home in the Bee Movie I think

•Less expressive green orthopteran that freshened up a bit before biting me, despite having climbed onto my finger of its own volition because it was on the ground and I knew this species liked hanging out in some ornamental grass a small distance away. Pictures taken seconds before disaster(and by disaster I mean oof ouch)

•A very patient tiger beetle; I’m really proud of this picture considering I got it by holding a magnifying glass in front of my phone and turning it upside down! POV you are very small and having a conversation with a bug on a sidewalk

•A dragonfly that didn’t mind me getting so close to take a picture; it might not be brightly colored or showy but I still think it’s gorgeous!

A great group of pals! The moth could be a white-dotted prominent based on what I can see, but I’d need a clearer shot to say for sure. IDing katydids is easier when I can clearly see the wing shape and venation! Just from the front angle, I’d say maybe a common true katydid. Can hardly blame the next one for biting you, I might bite if a giant picked me up, too. Looks like one of the meadow katydids.

GREAT photo of the tiger beetle! Very impressive since they are usually running around at top speed. That one looked like a Carolina metallic tiger beetle, but again, it’s easier when I can see the whole bug and all their markings. And the very lovely dragonfly looks like a twelve-spotted skimmer!

For the future, I prefer just a couple bugs per ID request submission! Makes it easier for me :)

#submission #insects #animals #bugs #moth #prominent moth #katydid #meadow katydid #beetle #tiger beetle #carolina metallic tiger beetle #dragonfly #twelve spotted skimmer #long post

[geosesarma]

The king of the midsummer pond, Libellula pulchella, the Twelve-spotted Skimmer. True to their specific epithet (pulchella = beautiful little), they're one of the most gorgeous northeastern dragonflies.

This guy was perched on a dead tree next to a small pool, making sure the other male skimmers (Libellula cyanea and Libellula semifasciata) didn't get too close to his territory

Sometimes the white spots on their wings, as well as the pruinosity on their abdomen, will even reflect slightly blue

#dragonfly #dragonflies #odonata #entomology #bug #bugs #insect #insects #insect photography

[beetlepassing]

tkk characters as bugs because i fucking love bugs ohhh my goddd

cw for creepy crawlies under the cut obviously

Daniel Larusso - twelve-spotted skimmer (libellula pulchella)

Johnny Lawrence - yellowjacket/common wasp (vespula vulgaris) (this one has the most thought behind it)

Chozen Toguchi - Hercules Beetle (dynastes hercules)

John Kreese - blue death feigning beetle (Asbolus verrucosus) (get it guys. death feigning)

Terry Silver - Tailless Whip Scorpion (amblypygi)

Kumiko - Mother-of-pearl butterfly (Protogoniomorpha duprei)

Ali Mills - honey bee (apis)

Jessica Andrews - velvet ant (dasymutilla occidentalis)

Julie pierce - Styrian praying lacewing (mantispa styriaca)

Mr. Miyagi - acorn weevil (curculio glandium) (heehee)

ok guys image limit uhhh maybe i'll make a part two. or even better just send a character in my askbox and i'll show off the bug. do not be shy bugs are my passion i will be very happy to answer. also if you have a better bug in mind for one of these characters go ahead and tell me how wrong i am and which one is better suitable

#the karate kid #cobra kai #daniel larusso #johnny lawrence #chozen toguchi #john kreese #terry silver #kumiko #(kumiko doesn't have a last name ?) #ali mills #jessica andrews #julie pierce #mr miyagi #bug yayyyyyy

[flame-shadow]

twelve-spotted skimmer

#dragonfly #anthro #flameshadowart #id in alt #bug people

[typhlonectes]

Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella), male, United States

photograph: Courtney Celley/USFWS

#skimmer #dragonfly #odonata #insect #animals #nature #north america

[wingedjewels]

Twelve-Spotted Skimmer Dragonfly by Ruby 2417 Via Flickr: Placerville, Ca. June, 2023.

#skimmer #dragonfly #perch #midair #insect #wild #wildlfe #nature #black #white #contrast #placerville #lumsen #park #pond #sierra #nevada #sierras #foothills #flickr

[squire-jaybird]

Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella)

#dragonsly #dragonflies #insects #nature photography #nature #bugs

[ao-fc]

Twelve-spotted skimmer dragonfly

#nature

[speakingofnature]

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

The tendency for a walk in nature to turn into an adventure has more to do with the walker than the walk.

#Twelve-spotted Skimmer #nature

[wetsockgirl]

Caught a pic of a beautiful dragonfly.

#twelve-spotted skimmer #dragonfly

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Widow Skimmer - Libellula luctuosa

Alongside the Belted Whiteface monitoring the cottage pond, several of these majestic individuals were found perching and patrolling this area of low to the ground plants. Their wing and body patterning were similar to the Common Whitetail Dragonflies and Twelve-Spotted Skimmers (respectively, and the females for the latter) that are prominent at the stream near my home, but alas, these photographs showcase a new find for me. Upon researching, this new Skimmer is a closer relative to the Twelve-Spotted (L. pulchella). The individual in this set of pictures is a male. In terms of coloration males and females appear similar, although certain images I've seen showcase females with more prominent yellow markings on their abdomen, leading atop the head and thorax. Where identification is concerned, there are other features we can examine to be certain. We can also consider the wings! Male Widow Skimmers have those white areas decorating the middle of the wings (next to the brown bands closer to the body), while females lack those sections. This distinction also helps clear up any confusion for this specie against the Common Whitetail.

It might sound silly, but the two Dragonflies can be tough to identify in the blink of an eye. This is of further importance as the male Widow Skimmer's abdomen turns white with age due to pruinescence (just like fellow cottage resident, the Belted Whiteface), further increasing the resemblance to the Whitetail. It's not clear to me why these Dragonflies' bodies become coated with waxy, white scales as they age, but the change is thought to help with heat control and territorial warning function. No matter these case, best be aware that Dragonflies can go gray and body patterns may not hold all the answers for identification. Speaking of which, immature males may not have the white areas on the center of the wing (they will appear with age), so look for the presence of claspers at the tip of the abdomen. They should be quite prominent (as they were for this male) and clear all doubt. The brown patches will always be there, whether male or female, and their appearance (resembling a mourning garb) in conjunction with their species name gave them the title of "Widow Skimmer". If not for the carnivorous habits, if would be interesting (or a fearful omen) to see them alongside Mourning Cloak Butterflies.

Pictures were taken on July 1, 2023 in Caledon with a Google Pixel 4. Next week, one more Caledon insect: a beautiful Beetle saved from the swimming pool.

#jonny's insect catalogue #ontario insect #dragonfly #widow skimmer #skimmer dragonfly #odonata #insect #caledon #2023 #july2023 #nature #entomology #invertebrates

[onenicebugperday]

@the-cryptid-enthusiast​ submitted: A dragon fly in our back garden! All the way from Southern Alberta

Oooooooo very stylish wings! She’s a female twelve-spotted skimmer :)

#animals #insects #bugs #submission #dragonfly #twelve spotted skimmer

[dendroica]

Twelve-spotted Skimmer, Libellula pulchella (by me)

#Twelve-spotted Skimmer #Libellula pulchella #Libellula #Libellulidae #Anisoptera #Odonata #Insecta #Hexapoda #Arthropoda #dragonfly #insects #spring #Negri-Nepote Native Grassland Preserve #Somerset County #New Jersey #mine