NC Odonate Website

Related Species in LIBELLULIDAE:

Number of records for 2023 = 29

PDF has more details,
e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
[View PDF]

Bar-winged Skimmer (Libellula axilena) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Slaty Skimmer Great Blue Skimmer
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.

[Google images] [Global Biodiversity Information Facility]

Map

Click on county for list of all its records for Bar-winged Skimmer

Flight Charts

Distribution

Throughout the Coastal Plain and the eastern half of the Piedmont; spotty distribution in the western half of the Piedmont, though possibly occurs in all counties in the province. Present over most of the mountains, particularly the southern half of the province.

Abundance

Fairly common in the Coastal Plain, more so in the southern half of the province, where it can be common locally. Uncommon in the eastern half of the Piedmont, but rare west of Stokes, Cabarrus, and Union counties, including the mountains. For some odd reason, we have a number of new mountain records, but relatively few from the western Piedmont, suggesting that the species is more "numerous" in the mountains than in the western Piedmont. Even so, it is generally a rare species west of the eastern Piedmont.

Flight

Early May (and recently as early as mid-April) to early October in the Coastal Plain, and at least to early September in the Piedmont. The mountain flight extends at least from mid-May to late August.

Habitat

Ponds, pools in swamps and powerline clearings, and other still waters close to forests.

See also Habitat Account for General Wet-Hydric Forests

Behavior

Males perch on twigs, often at least 6 feet off the ground, along a forested edge next to water, such as a swampy pool or temporary pond in a powerline, and make patrols back and forth over the water. Adults typically forage close to forests and edges, such as along jeep trails and powerlines through bottomlands and swamps.

Comments

Though not one of our truly common skimmers, the Bar-winged is still a numerous dragonfly and not hard to find in some Coastal Plain locales. As indicated above, it usually does not forage far from forests, and one is not likely to see it in open fields.

State Rank

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-16 17:49:14

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
Home Page	Search	Odonate Resources	Login	NC Biodiversity Project

Photo Gallery for Bar-winged Skimmer 41 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Mark Shields Comment: Ashe, 2021-08-08, Pond Mountain Game Land		Photo 2 by: Mark Shields Comment: Brunswick, 2021-07-23, Juniper Creek Game Land
	Photo 3 by: Harry LeGrand, Lori Arent Comment: Richmond; C, 2021-07-15, Sandhills Game Land - males		Photo 4 by: Harry LeGrand, Lori Arent Comment: Wake, 2021-06-16, Umstead SP - 1 male & 1 female/teneral
	Photo 5 by: Harry LeGrand, Lori Arent Comment: Wake, 2021-06-16, Umstead SP - 1 male & 1 female/teneral		Photo 6 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2021-05-31, Hot Springs area
	Photo 7 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2021-05-31, Hot Springs area		Photo 8 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Chatham, 2020-07-06, Private residence off Big Woods Road, near Jordan Lake Educational State Forest
	Photo 9 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Chatham, 2020-07-06, Private residence off Big Woods Road, near Jordan Lake Educational State Forest		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Onslow, 2020-04-17, Sandy Run Savannas State Natural Area (SARU). Immature male.
	Photo 11 by: Mark Shields Comment: Dare; OBU, 2019-06-14, Jockey's Ridge State Park (JORI)		Photo 12 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Alleghany, 2019-06-03
	Photo 13 by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka and party. Comment: Avery, 2019-05-21, Pond on private property that adjoins the Blue Ridge Parkway in southern Avery County. - Male. At a very small pond near main pond.		Photo 14 by: Mike Turner Comment: Craven, 2018-09-01, Croatan National Forest, powerline ROW at intersection of Catfish Lake Rd. and Little Rd.
	Photo 15 by: Mark Shields, John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-26, Panthertown Valley, Nantahala National Forest - in bogs. First record for county.		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields Comment: Currituck, 2018-06-09, pond at Currituck Community Park near Maple
	Photo 17 by: Mark Shields and Hunter Phillips Comment: Beaufort, 2017-08-04, Palmetto Boardwalk, Goose Creek State Park (GOCR)		Photo 18 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Camden, 2017-07-27, Dismal Swamp State Park
	Photo 19 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Bladen, 2017-05-20, - Jones Lake. Many seen at small retention areas away from the main lake, several seen with Mike Turner later at the lake itself.		Photo 20 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Carteret, 2017-04-30 - Immature male in forested region of eastern Croatan National Forest
	Photo 21 by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin Comment: Haywood, 2016-07-20, In a small pool within a high-elevation bog complex near the upper end of Flat Laurel Creek Trail. - At 5400 feet in elevation.		Photo 22 by: Mark Shields Comment: Bladen, 2016-06-10, Suggs Mill Pond aka Horseshoe Lake
	Photo 23 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2015-09-01, Holly Shelter Game Land		Photo 24 by: Mark Shields Comment: New Hanover, 2015-08-06, Carolina Beach State Park - at Lily Pond
	Photo 25 by: Mark Shields Comment: Columbus, 2015-08-01, Lake Waccamaw State Park		Photo 26 by: Mark Shields Comment: Carteret, 2015-07-01, Patsy Pond Nature Trail, Croatan National Forest
	Photo 27 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Graham, 2015-06-15, drainage bog on FS 81 near bridge over Santeetlah Creek - male		Photo 28 by: Kristy Baker Comment: Currituck, 2015-06-09, Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary
	Photo 29 by: Kristy Baker Comment: Tyrrell, 2015-06-06, Scuppermong Interpretive Boardwalk		Photo 30 by: Kristy Baker Comment: Tyrrell, 2015-06-06, Palmetto-Peartree Preserve - Multiple individuals seen but not counted.