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Related Species in LIBELLULIDAE:

Number of records for 2025 = 0

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Painted Skimmer (Libellula semifasciata) by John Petranka

Compare with: Halloween Pennant
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 Painted Skimmer

Flight Charts

Distribution

Essentially statewide, though likely scarce at middle elevations and perhaps absent at higher elevations in the mountains. Occurs throughout the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, including counties along the coast.

Abundance

Fairly common to occasionally common in the southern half of the Coastal Plain; uncommon to locally fairly common in the northern Coastal Plain and in the lower Piedmont; uncommon in the remainder of the Piedmont and lower mountains; scarce at higher elevations. Abundance is quite at odds with Dunkle (2000) for its entire range, and Beaton (2007) for GA, both which indicate "uncommon". Perhaps the species is more numerous in NC than in most other states. Seldom occurs in large numbers on a given day, but quite widespread, at least in much of the Coastal Plain.

Flight

Late March to mid-September, and rarely to early October, in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont; however, not numerous after late July in the Coastal Plain and after mid-June in the Piedmont and mountains. In the mountains, the flight occurs from mid-April to mid-September, but is scarce after mid-summer. As with many species, the flights across the state are moving earlier every few years -- a sure sign of global warming.

Habitat

Marshes, bogs or boggy areas, grassy ponds, and other pools; favors semi-wooded areas. Usually not seen around larger ponds or lakes.

Behavior

Less likely to spend much time around ponds, pools, and marshes than most other skimmers. Instead, adults are typically seen foraging well away from water (thus not making it clear what might be the breeding habitat), often in fields, savannas, powerline clearings, and woodland borders. They often perch conspicuously on tips of twigs or grass stems.

Comments

This skimmer seldom occurs in swarms, but is often seen daily, at least in the southern Coastal Plain in the first part of the flight season. Because of their flashy wing pattern -- males and females look almost alike -- individuals are easily noticed, even by beginners or casual observers. Be careful not to confuse it with the smaller Halloween Pennant, a more common species that also perches conspicuously on the tips of grass stems and twigs.

State Rank

State Status

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Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-16 18:13:19

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Painted Skimmer 46 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, 2024-07-05, Brookshire Park - at hilltop clearing		Photo 2 by: Mark Shields Comment: Alexander, 2023-05-11, Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area
	Photo 3 by: Mark Shields, Brian Bockhahn, et al. Comment: Gates, 2023-04-17, Merchants Millpond State Park		Photo 4 by: John Petranka Comment: Sampson, 2021-07-13, Pondberry Bay Preserve. - Female.
	Photo 5 by: Jan Hansen Comment: Orange, 2021-04-09, Brumley North - marshy area along Stony Creek		Photo 6 by: Jan Hansen Comment: Bladen, 2021-04-06, Bay Tree Lake SNA
	Photo 7 by: Rob Van Epps, Kevin Metcalf Comment: Scotland, 2020-04-17		Photo 8 by: Chuck Smith Comment: Rowan, 2020-04-14, Eagle Point Nature Preserve. - Female.
	Photo 9 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Cumberland, 2020-03-19, Carvers Creek State Park (CACR) - Sandhills Access		Photo 10 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.
	Photo 11 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2019-05-12, Hot Springs		Photo 12 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Wayne, 2019-04-15, Cliffs of the Neuse State Park (CLNE)
	Photo 13 by: Rob Van Epps Comment: Mecklenburg, 2019-04-11, West Branch Rocky River Greenway		Photo 14 by: Doug Allen Comment: Polk; P, 2019-04-07, FENCE (Foothills Equestrian Nature Center) - 1st Polk County record since before 2000
	Photo 15 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2018-08-23, Flat Branch		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields, John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-26, Panthertown Valley, Nantahala National Forest - in bog. First record for county.
	Photo 17 by: Mark Shields Comment: Currituck, 2018-06-09, pond at Currituck Community Park near Maple		Photo 18 by: J. Brown Comment: Dare; OBU, 2018-05-26, Run Hill State Natural Area
	Photo 19 by: Mark Shields Comment: Beaufort, 2018-05-25, Voice of America Game Land		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields Comment: Edgecombe, 2018-05-25, Etheridge Pond, Tar River Game Land
	Photo 21 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Clay, 2018-05-12, Beaver pond along Buck Creek Road		Photo 22 by: Mark Shields and Hunter Phillips Comment: Brunswick, 2018-04-02, Boiling Spring Lakes Preserve Nature Trail
	Photo 23 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jones, 2017-04-11, Weetock Trail near Haywood Landing, Croatan National Forest		Photo 24 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2017-04-08, my property, Holly Ridge
	Photo 25 by: Mark Shields Comment: Carteret, 2016-03-29, ponds along Patsy Pond Nature Trail, Croatan National Forest		Photo 26 by: Mark Shields Comment: New Hanover, 2015-08-06, Carolina Beach State Park - at Lily Pond
	Photo 27 by: Kristy Baker Comment: Currituck, 2015-06-09, Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary		Photo 28 by: Kristy Baker Comment: Dare; Mainland, 2015-06-07, Alligator River NWR - Charles Kuralt Trail
	Photo 29 by: Kristy Baker Comment: Tyrrell, 2015-06-06, Palmetto-Peartree Preserve		Photo 30 by: Salman Abdulali Comment: Pitt, 2015-05-05, Boyd Lee Park