NC Odonate Website

Related Species in LIBELLULIDAE:

Number of records added in 2021 = 24

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
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Spangled Skimmer (Libellula cyanea) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Yellow-sided 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.

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map

Click on county for list of all its records for Spangled Skimmer

flight charts

distribution

Statewide, but of spotty distribution in the extreme eastern Coastal Plain, at least on the Outer Banks and around the mainland portions of Pamlico Sound. Even so, it might be found in all NC counties.

abundance

Common in the mountains; fairly common to common in the Piedmont and most of the Coastal Plain. Seemingly scarce (if not locally absent) on the Outer Banks and the eastern Pamlimarle Peninsula. For some odd reason, the species was not nearly as numerous in 2020 as in previous years, though this might have been related to a reduced amount of field work in that COVID-19 year in its habitats.

flight

A slightly shorter flight period than for many other skimmers -- late April to mid-September. In the Coastal Plain, the latest records are only to late August, except for an odd mid-November record.

habitat

Ponds, small lakes, marshes, and other open waters with abundant floating or emergent vegetation.

See also Habitat Account for General Beaver Ponds and Semi-natural Impoundments

behavior

Males perch close to water and make short patrols. However, adults are typically seen well away from water, such as in powerline clearings, wide jeep roads, fields, and woodland edges. They perch on twigs, often fairly low and can be conspicuous or unwary when perching.

comments

This is our only dragonfly with black-and-white stigmas, rendering both males and females easy to identify, even though their body colorations can cause some confusion with other skimmers. The species seldom occurs in large numbers or swarms, as do some skimmers (such as Great Blue Skimmer, Common Whitetail, or Blue Corporal), but a handful are typically seen in the appropriate habitat and time of year.

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[Overwinter:] [Date Spread:] [No Late Date:] [Split on Feb:] [Default:]

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Species account update: LeGrand on 2021-02-09 11:15:14

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Spangled Skimmer 40 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Nora Murdock, Keith Langdon, Robert Emmott Comment: Swain, 2021-07-06,		Photo 2 by: P Dixon Comment: Madison, 2021-06-16, Hot Springs area
	Photo 3 by: Pete Dixon Comment: Madison, 2021-06-05, Hot Springs area		Photo 4 by: Barbara McRae Comment: Macon, 2020-05-05, Franklin, Little Tennessee River, wetland near Greenway. - Female
	Photo 5 by: Ken Kneidel Comment: Mecklenburg, 2019-05-18, female, Cowan's Ford Wildlife Refuge		Photo 6 by: Will Stuart Comment: Anson, 2019-05-15, Photographed along Grass Island Road 200 m east of Brown Creek bridge. - Brown Creek bridge was closed for all of 2019
	Photo 7 by: Pete Dixon Comment: Madison, 2019-05-13, River Road, Murray Branch Meadows		Photo 8 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2019-05-11, Campbell University- Marshbanks Property
	Photo 9 by: Mike Turner Comment: Wilkes; P, 2018-07-21, W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir; from dam to ~1000' downstream - 18 adult males		Photo 10 by: Mike Turner Comment: Forsyth, 2018-07-02, Tanglewood Park - 1 ad.male
	Photo 11 by: Mark Shields Comment: Edgecombe, 2018-05-25, Etheridge Pond, Tar River Game Land		Photo 12 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pitt, 2018-05-25, Tar River at Falkland Boating Access Area
	Photo 13 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2018-05-21, Flat Branch- Male and Immature Male Observed		Photo 14 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2018-05-21, Flat Branch- Male and Immature Male Observed
	Photo 15 by: Mark Shields Comment: Duplin, 2018-05-11, Northeast Cape Fear River at Chinquapin Boating Access Area - female		Photo 16 by: Barbara McRae Comment: Macon, 2017-06-07, Franklin, Little Tennessee River, wetland near Greenway - male perched in small wetland area
	Photo 17 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Cherokee, 2015-06-15, Cherokee Lake (a dammed creek arm of Hiwassee Lake)		Photo 18 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Onslow, 2015-06-07 - Single mature male found at retention pond
	Photo 19 by: Alicia Jackson Comment: Hoke, 2015-05-29, along small impounded pond on existing gas line ROW		Photo 20 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Orange, 2015-05-26, Ayr Mount - male
	Photo 21 by: Salman Abdulali Comment: Pitt, 2015-05-05, Boyd Lee Park		Photo 22 by: Doug Johnston, Vin Stanton Comment: Graham, 2013-07-16, Tulula Bog - Male & Female
	Photo 23 by: Doug Johnston, Vin Stanton Comment: Graham, 2013-07-16, Tulula Bog - Male & Female		Photo 24 by: George Andrews Comment: Mecklenburg, 2013-07-08, Beatty Park from 05:30 - 07:30 PM. Skies 60/40 clear/cloud, temp. 85.
	Photo 25 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Simon Thompson Comment: Polk; P, 2012-08-04, Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) - Male		Photo 26 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston, Gail Lankford, Janie Owen Comment: Madison, 2012-05-17, French Broad River, Pisgah National Forest - Female
	Photo 27 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston Comment: Transylvania, 2011-08-19, Brevard - Male		Photo 28 by: Bob Oberfelder Comment: Wake, 2011-06-26, Observed in Cary at Lochmere Golf Course, Male
	Photo 29 by: Vin Stanton, Doug Johnston Comment: Haywood, 2011-06-08, Haywood Community College		Photo 30 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Henderson, 2011-06-07, Fletcher Park - numerous males and females