Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) is a member of the Skimmer Family of dragonflies that is spotted during the summer months at many water bodies in the mid-Atlantic United States, such as the wetlands at Huntley Meadows Park (HMP).
Twelve-spotted Skimmers display sexual dimorphism; terminal appendages may be used to differentiate immature males from females.
Male dragonflies have three terminal appendages, collectively called “claspers,” that are used to grab and hold female dragonflies during mating: an upper pair of cerci (“superior appendages”) and a lower unpaired epiproct (“inferior appendage”).
31 MAY 2014 | HMP | Twelve-spotted Skimmer (young male)
The preceding individual is a young male, as indicated by the white partial pruinescence covering his abdomen. In contrast, the abdomen of the following mature male is completely white.
12 SEP 2014 | HMP | Twelve-spotted Skimmer (mature male)
Female dragonflies have a pair of cerci (superior appendages) that have little or no function.
22 MAY 2015 | HMP | Twelve-spotted Skimmer (female)
Related Resources: Odonate Terminal Appendages.
Copyright © 2015 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: cerci, claspers, epiproct, female, Huntley Meadows Park, Libellula pulchella, mature male, sexual dimorphism, Skimmer Family, terminal appendages, Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly, vernal pool, wildlife photography, young male
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