Family: Libellulidae, Common Skimmers view all from this family

Description 3/4-1" (20-24 mm), wingspan to 1 3/4" (45 mm). Mostly yellowish brown. Face yellow; thorax brown; abdomen brownish yellow. Legs yellowish with black spines. Wings amber; male's with brown area 1/3 way to tip, female's with 2 brown crossbands or clouds.

Food Adult eats small insects. Naiad feeds on small aquatic insects.

Life Cycle Female, often unattended by mate, flies over water touching surface with tip of abdomen, freeing 10-20 eggs with each dip. Naiads stand up high on slender legs searching for prey. They cling to stumps while transforming to adults. Adults are active from April in Texas to October in South Carolina.

Habitat Near ponds and slow streams.

Range Massachusetts to Gulf states, west to Texas and northern Mexico, north to Nebraska.

Discussion This low-flying skimmer usually flies in sunshine, avoiding other dragonflies. It perches horizontally with fore and hind wings lifted unequally.