NC Odonate Website

Related Species in LIBELLULIDAE:

Number of records added in 2020 = 27
Added in 2020 from previous year = 1 (2019-05-17)

PDF has more details,
e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
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Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Bar-winged Skimmer Eastern Pondhawk
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 Great Blue Skimmer

flight charts

distribution

Essentially statewide, lacking records now for just two mountain counties. Certainly is present in all 100 counties.

abundance

Common, to locally abundant, in the Coastal Plain; common in the eastern and central Piedmont; somewhat less numerous (fairly common, at least locally) in the western Piedmont and lower mountains. This is one of the most numerous dragonflies in swamps and bottomlands.

flight

Early May (very rarely in late April) into late September in the Piedmont and into late October in the Coastal Plain. The mountain flight, quite a bit narrower, is from mid-May to mid-September.

habitat

Still or slow-moving waters in mostly shaded areas, such as swamps and swampy pools, wooded beaver ponds, and very slow-moving streams.

See also Habitat Account for General Wet-Hydric Floodplains

behavior

Males commonly perch around the margins of swampy pools and other wet areas in swamps and bottomlands. Adults typically stay close to forested areas, such as along roads through bottomlands and swamps. They usually perch on twigs of trees along the wooded edges, often 5-10' high. They can be quite pugnacious, with much chasing of other Great Blue Skimmers in their small territories.

comments

This is the largest of the Libellula skimmers, and though colored in pruinose pale blue like adult male Eastern Pondhawks and several other male skimmers, the male Great Blue Skimmer is separated by its very pale blue thorax (contrasting with the slightly darker abdomen) and greenish-blue eyes. They can occur in swarms of a dozen or more in a very small area. This species is one of the most common dragonflies (next to Eastern Pondhawk) that one sees along roads through swamps and bottomlands, especially as seen from bridges over swampy rivers and creeks.

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

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Species account update: LeGrand1234

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Great Blue Skimmer 63 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Barbara McRae Comment: Macon, 2019-06-26, Seen in swampy area of Little Tennessee River, Franklin, NC (Suli Marsh)		Photo 2 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Buncombe, 2019-06-25, Owen Park, Swannanoa - Male
	Photo 3 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Yancey, 2019-05-23, Black Mountain Campground. - 2 males; 1 female ovipositing in seep.		Photo 4 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 5 by: Will Stuart Comment: Anson, 2019-05-17, Along GTR Road, Pee Dee NWR - This species seen multiple times along GTR.		Photo 6 by: Pete Dixon Comment: Madison, 2019-05-13, River Road, Murray Branch Meadows
	Photo 7 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2019-05-11, Campbell University- Marshbanks Property		Photo 8 by: Mike Turner Comment: Carteret, 2018-09-02, Croatan National Forest; Millis Rd.
	Photo 9 by: Mike Turner Comment: Davie, 2018-08-04, S. Yadkin River @ Cooleemee boating access - ad.males		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields Comment: Richmond; C, 2018-07-06, Pee Dee River; 2 km stretch upstream from Diggs Tract Access, by kayak
	Photo 11 by: Mike Turner Comment: Forsyth, 2018-07-01, Winston Lake - ad.males		Photo 12 by: Maria de Bruyn Comment: , 2018-06-20, Mason Farm Biological Reserve
	Photo 13 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 14 by: Mark Shields Comment: Chowan, 2018-06-09, Edenton National Fish Hatchery
	Photo 15 by: Mark Shields Comment: Currituck, 2018-06-09, pond at Currituck Community Park near Maple		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields Comment: Perquimans, 2018-06-09, Perquimans River at NC 37 bridge
	Photo 17 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2018-05-18, Holly Shelter Game Land, dike between NE Cape Fear River and greentree impoundment		Photo 18 by: Mark Shields Comment: Lenoir, 2017-08-01, Neuseway Nature Park, Kinston
	Photo 19 by: Mark Shields Comment: Brunswick, 2017-07-30, Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve, Winnabow		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: John Petranka Comment: Robeson, 2017-05-27, Lumber River at the Boardman Boating Access on US Hwy. 74. - Remarkable numbers of females and immature males, mainly perched in trees at the parking area. Only 3 males with mature coloration seen.		Photo 22 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jones, 2017-04-28, Haywood Landing and Weetock Trail, Croatan National Forest
	Photo 23 by: Mark Shields Comment: New Hanover, 2015-09-13, Ft. Fisher State Recreation Area, Basin Trail		Photo 24 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 25 by: Mark Shields Comment: Duplin, 2015-08-15, Northeast Cape Fear River by kayak, between Wayne		Photo 26 by: Mark Shields Comment: Bladen, 2015-08-09, Black River by kayak, between NC 53/11 bridge and Hunts Bluff Wildlife ramp
	Photo 27 by: Mark Shields Comment: Columbus, 2015-08-01, Lake Waccamaw State Park - abundant		Photo 28 by: Mark Shields Comment: Columbus, 2015-08-01, Lumber River, Fair Bluff
	Photo 29 by: Mark Shields Comment: Robeson, 2015-08-01, Lumber River State Park, Princess Ann Access		Photo 30 by: John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Alleghany, 2015-07-15, Stone Mountain State Park (STMO). Seep and boggy area near campground Loop B. - Males. Around boggy area.