NC Odonate Website

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Number of records for 2025 = 0

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Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) by Mark Shields

Compare with: Distinctive
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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 Roseate Skimmer

Flight Charts

Distribution

A northbound stray or migrant in most areas of the state, but almost certainly now a resident in the southeastern counties, north to Carteret County, and also apparently a breeding resident at a pond in Cabarrus County in the Piedmont (in 2021-2022). Widely scattered over the Coastal Plain and now the Piedmont, and with two recent sightings from Henderson County in the mountains. Greatly expanding its range northward; thus, the county map will likely become out-of-date very quickly. Primarily found along the southern coast, north somewhat regularly to Carteret County, but one must assume it is not a resident (yet) in most non-coastal counties, based on its very spotty range inland and numerous "one-time-only" records.

Abundance

Increasing in recent years; probably rare 10 or 20 years ago. Now, it is generally uncommon in coastal counties northward to Carteret County, but it can be locally fairly common at a few sites north into Onslow County. Very rare visitor or stray farther inland and northward. Our peak single-day count is just nine individuals, though this number should be surpassed in the next few years.

Flight

Late May to late November, with one mid-December record; mostly from late August to mid-November. These dates suggest a fall migrant species, moving north after breeding farther to our south. However, there are a few sites along and near the coast -- and now at a single known site in the central Piedmont -- where it is a resident.

Habitat

Generally at ponds, marshes, and lakes. Despite it being seen mainly near the coast, most breeding waters are probably fresh, though it does use brackish waters.

Behavior

Males are very conspicuous as they perch on twigs at their pools or ponds; they are quite active and do much chasing and patrolling. Adults will often feed well away from pools, as do most other skimmers.

Comments

The deep rose-pink color of the male's abdomen is not often seen in the animal kingdom, even in birds or butterflies, and is more reminiscent of the rosy color of the petals of many wildflowers! This species is currently undergoing a rapid northward expansion in the range and in numbers. It is not hard to find at various places around Wilmington, such as near gardens and other suburban places. But questions remain, especially regarding residency status in NC away from the southern coast. It was dropped as a Watch List species by the N.C. Natural Heritage Program in fall 2010. A review of iNaturalist photos in late 2022, plus other records submitted to this website, added several new county records, all in the Coastal Plain.

State Rank

S3S4

State Status

Global Rank

Federal Status

Synonym

Other Name

Species account update: LeGrand on 2023-01-24 15:14:26

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Roseate Skimmer 32 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: B. Bockhahn Comment: Sampson, 2024-10-23, Black River, Ivanhoe Access		Photo 2 by: Matt Spangler Comment: New Hanover, 2024-10-13, Carolina Beach State Park CABE
	Photo 3 by: Comment: Hyde; OB, 2024-09-16, iNaturalist Record 242082398; Springers Point, Ocracoke Island - male		Photo 4 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2024-08-25, my property, Holly Ridge - male
	Photo 5 by: Travis McLain Comment: Cabarrus, 2024-07-10, At private pond SW of Concord. iNaturalist record #228638105 - male		Photo 6 by: Lydia Pultorak Comment: Washington, 2024-06-12, - Weyerhauser property near Roper. Adult male.
	Photo 7 by: Matt Spangler Comment: Chatham, 2023-09-08, Jordan Lake--New Hope Creek - Male patrolling and occasionally perching; possibly blown in from the gulf by H. Idalia?		Photo 8 by: Max Ramey Comment: Wilkes; P, 2023-08-27, Roaring River slough (36.202453, -81.004158) - Male
	Photo 9 by: Harry LeGrand, Lori Arent, Lori White Comment: Wake, 2022-09-20, NC Museum of Art Grounds - Immature male; perched across from the apiary; photo by Lori Arent		Photo 10 by: Amy Padgett Comment: Bladen, 2022-08-14, Swampy early successional cutover just southeast of Clarkton. 34.460318, -78.637844 , iNaturalist #130940973 - Female
	Photo 11 by: Paul Hart Comment: Harnett; C, 2022-08-01, Lillington - Female		Photo 12 by: Paul Hart Comment: Harnett; C, 2022-08-01, Lillington - Female
	Photo 13 by: Travis McLain Comment: Cabarrus, 2022-06-24, At private pond SW of Concord. iNaturalist record #127740550 - Female		Photo 14 by: Travis McLain Comment: Cabarrus, 2022-05-27, At private pond SW of Concord. iNaturalist record #119465896 - Male
	Photo 15 by: Mark Shields Comment: New Hanover, 2021-12-03, Carolina Beach State Park, limesink ponds		Photo 16 by: Kevin Metcalf Comment: Mecklenburg, 2021-09-17, - retention pond in Steele Creek area
	Photo 17 by: Ken Kneidel Comment: Mecklenburg, 2019-08-20, pond margin, Chantilly Park, Charlotte		Photo 18 by: Mike Turner Comment: Yadkin, 2019-06-23, Yadkin River @ NC 67; Donnaha paddle access - female
	Photo 19 by: Mark Shields Comment: New Hanover, 2017-11-18, Carolina Beach State Park (CABE), limesink ponds - 2 males, 1 female		Photo 20 by: j.wyche Comment: Gates, 2017-10-15, Merchants Millpond State Park - in front of visitor center; female. ID confirmed on BugGuide
	Photo 21 by: Robby Deans Comment: Craven, 2017-10-14, New Bern. Near Jct. US 17/70 and M.L.K. Jr. Blvd.. Originally posted on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8404613 - Male.		Photo 22 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2017-09-10, my property, Holly Ridge - female
	Photo 23 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Onslow, 2017-08-19, - 4 males, 1 female - Jacksonville retention pond		Photo 24 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2017-07-13, male at retention pond, Coastal Carolina Community College, Jacksonville
	Photo 25 by: Mark Shields Comment: Pender, 2015-09-01, Holly Shelter Game Land		Photo 26 by: Mike Turner Comment: Wake, 2014-09-26, Yates Mill County Park - female/immature male
	Photo 27 by: Mike Turner Comment: Cumberland, 2013-09-05, Rhodes Pond - males		Photo 28 by: Matthew Daw Comment: Durham, 2009-08-18 - Falls Lake north of I-85
	Photo 29 by: Ted Wilcox Comment: Brunswick, 2007-08-25, Sea Trail Golf Course		Photo 30 by: Jeff Pippen Comment: New Hanover, 2006-08-26, also seen by H. LeGrand