The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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North Carolina's 189 Odonate species
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Related Species in LIBELLULIDAE: Number of records for 2023 = 66

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
[View PDF]		Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta) by Mark Shields
Compare with: Bar-winged Skimmer   Seaside Dragonlet   Double-ringed Pennant  
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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 Slaty Skimmer
Flight Charts
Distribution Statewide, occurring in all 100 counties.
Abundance Very common to abundant, though usually not in large swarms (such as with Eastern Pondhawk, Blue Dasher, or Common Baskettail). Abundance seems similar all across the state, though it might be slightly less numerous in the mountains.
Flight Flies from early May to late October downstate, and to mid-October in the mountains.
Habitat Widespread around still waters of ponds, lakes, marshes, pools and puddles, and slow portions of rivers or creeks -- typically in wooded or partly wooded situations.
Behavior Males are very conspicuous for a dragonfly, as they perch on bare twigs or other vegetation around a pond or lake margin and make constant forays, often chasing anything that flies nearby. Adults forage some distance from water, but not in large numbers in fields or other treeless areas.
Comments It is difficult to visit a pond or lake margin in the summer without seeing a Slaty Skimmer. Usually a walk around the shoreline will produce a number of them, even though Blue Dashers typically will be the most abundant dragonfly at such a pond or lake. Because Slaty Skimmers are very pugnacious and active fliers, if the species is around, you should quickly know it! It is definitely one of the state's most abundant dragonfly species.
State Rank S5
State Status
Global Rank G5
Federal Status
Synonym
Other Name
Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-16 17:57:46
Photo Gallery for Slaty Skimmer   53 photos are available.
Only the most recent 30 are shown.
Other NC Galleries:    Jeff Pippen    Will Cook    Ted Wilcox
Photo 1 by: Guy McGrane

Comment: Watauga, 2022-08-09, Boone Greenway-Angel Stair wetland		Photo 2 by: Paul Hart

Comment: Harnett; C, 2022-06-05, Cape Fear Shiner County Park
Photo 3 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Martin, 2021-06-19, Roanoke River at Astoria Landing Public Fishing Access, Jamesville		Photo 4 by: p dixon

Comment: Madison, 2020-06-13
Photo 5 by: Guy McGrane

Comment: Watauga, 2019-08-07, Valle Crucis Community Park. Photo by W. Dunson - All males; at pond		Photo 6 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Scotland, 2018-09-03, Scotland Lake, Sandhills Game Land - old female
Photo 7 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Davie, 2018-08-04, S. Yadkin River @ Cooleemee boating access - 3 ad.males		Photo 8 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Davie, 2018-07-03, S. Yadkin River @ Cooleemee boating access
Photo 9 by: Chuck Smith

Comment: Davidson, 2018-07-02, Lexington. Pond at Finch Park. 		Photo 10 by: Mike Turner

Comment: Forsyth, 2018-07-01, Winston Lake - adult males
Photo 11 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-25, Pond beside Breedlove Road, 5 km northeast of Cashiers		Photo 12 by: Owen McConneli and Simpson Eason

Comment: Durham, 2018-06-23, Beaver Marsh - immature male
Photo 13 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Pamlico, 2018-06-22, Moore's Swamp at Bennett Farm Road bridge		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Craven, 2018-06-16, Swift Creek; 7 km section between Cool Springs Boating Access Area and NC 43 bridge, by kayak
Photo 15 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Chowan, 2018-06-09, Chowan River at Edenhouse Bridge Boating Access Area		Photo 16 by: Ken Kneidel

Comment: Yancey, 2017-08-24, Near small pond at Arthur Morgan School. - male
Photo 17 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Lenoir, 2017-08-01, Neuseway Nature Park, Kinston		Photo 18 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Alleghany, 2017-06-28, Little Glade Mill Pond, Blue Ridge Parkway
Photo 19 by: Barbara McRae

Comment: Macon, 2017-06-27, Franklin, Little Tennessee River, wetland near Greenway - Pair in wheel, shallow area of wetland		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Washington, 2017-06-16, Conaby Creek, from boating access area to 2.25 km upstream by kayak
Photo 21 by: Owen McConnell

Comment: Orange, 2017-06-06, Ayr Mount, edge of woods & pond - immature male		Photo 22 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Rutherford; P, 2017-06-02, Morse Park, Lake Lure
Photo 23 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt

Comment: Richmond; C, 2016-08-06, Millstone Lake at Millstone 4H Camp near Ellerbe. 2 males, 1 ovipositing female. 		Photo 24 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Brunswick, 2015-09-05, Waccamaw River - along 4 km stretch upstream of NC 904 bridge
Photo 25 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Sampson, 2015-08-23, Black River by kayak from Ivanhoe Boating Access to 0.5 km upstream of Dr Kerr Rd bridge		Photo 26 by: Mark Shields

Comment: New Hanover, 2015-08-06, Greenfield Lake
Photo 27 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Columbus, 2015-08-01, Lake Waccamaw State Park		Photo 28 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Robeson, 2015-08-01, Lumber River State Park, Princess Ann Access
Photo 29 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Bladen, 2015-07-18, Suggs Millpond (aka Horseshoe Lake)		Photo 30 by: Mark Shields

Comment: Pender, 2015-07-11, Shelter Creek, from confluence with NE Cape Fear River to about 2 km upstream