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Widow skimmer

Widow skimmer

Libellula luctuosa

A species of Skimmers

The widow skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) is a large insect that grows to be incredibly large with a bulbous head and body. As they age, they are known to grow whitish, much like our grandparents' hair. They live in the water until their final molt, where they reveal their wings, it is at this point it reveals why it has part of a group called the king skimmers.

General Info About Widow skimmer
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Attributes of Widow skimmer
Colors
Brown
Black
White
Habitat
muddy substrate; still water (pond; lake; stream; creek)
Adult Food Sources
Flies, mosquitoes, moths, small beetles, other flying insects
Larva Food Source
Small aquatic insects, zooplankton, tadpoles, small fish, worms
Non-poisonous
The Widow skimmer is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
The Widow skimmer typically preys on other arthropods and does not directly affect plants.
Biting animal or pet
Yes
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
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Species Status of Widow skimmer
It can be found commonly across the United States (except in the higher Rocky Mountains areas) and in southern Ontario and Quebec.
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Distribution Area of Widow skimmer
United States, southern Ontario and Quebec
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Appearance of Widow skimmer
Widow skimmer have large bulky bodies, with large head. Adults have a steely blue body area but juveniles are yellow with brown stipes. Eyes are also large and close together meeting in the middle of the head. They have three pairs of legs. Legs are black in color. They have two pairs of wings: forewings and hindwings. Wings of both sexes are marked with prominent black basal bands. They also have a slight white hue on their abdomen and thorax.
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How to Identify Widow skimmer?

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Life Cycle of Widow skimmer
Egg Laid in water or on vegetation near water, the eggs of widow skimmer are small and cylindrical. They are typically clustered in groups, and their primary function is to mature and eventually hatch into nymphs.
Naiad The naiad of widow skimmer is aquatic, voracious, and lacks wings. Instead, it has external gills for underwater breathing. As this stage progresses, the naiad undergoes several molts, increasing its size and gradually developing wing pads.
Adult Emerging from its final molt, the adult widow skimmer exhibits an elongated body, well-developed wings, and striking coloration for mate attraction. The adult is terrestrial, highly mobile, and focused on mating and laying eggs.
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Predators of Adult Widow skimmer
Birds, spiders, frogs, wasps, robber flies, mantises, bats
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Interesting Facts About Widow skimmer
Widow skimmer can swiftly change direction mid-flight with impressive agility, due to their unique wing structure and muscle composition.
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Scientific Classification of Widow skimmer
Class
Bugs
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Order
Odes
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Family
Skimmers
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Tips for Finding Widow skimmer
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Youth Habitat of Widow skimmer
Freshwater Habitats
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Adult Habitat of Widow skimmer
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Freshwater Habitats, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas
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How Can You Attract Widow skimmer
Since widow skimmer are predators, specific trap food is generally not used to attract them. Instead, people might look for places where there is an abundance of small insects which serve as natural prey for widow skimmer.
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Habitat Preferences of Widow skimmer Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of widow skimmer are typically deposited in still or slow-moving freshwater bodies, such as ponds or marshes, often attached to vegetation. naiads, also known as naiads, develop in the same aquatic environments, hiding in debris on the bottom. To find these stages, one would search among submerged plants and detritus in calm waters. The adults, having undergone metamorphosis, can be found around the edges of these water sources, perching on twigs and vegetation. They're often spotted in clearings, fields, or gardens near water. Searching for adults involves scanning for them as they rest in sunny spots or as they fly to intercept prey or engage in territorial displays.
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How and Where Can You Find Widow skimmer at Different Life Stages
Egg Eggs are laid in water or on aquatic vegetation. To find widow skimmer eggs, explore the edges of ponds, lakes, or streams and inspect plants just below the water surface.
Naiad Widow skimmer naiads are aquatic and can be camouflaged in the sediment. They are best found by gently scooping through the mud and debris at the bottom of freshwater bodies using a net.
Adult As the naiads transition to adulthood, they will climb onto vegetation to emerge. Look for widow skimmer during their emergence on plant stems near the water's edge, especially in the morning.
Adult widow skimmer are often found near water sources, perching on vegetation, or patrolling the area in flight. Observing near bodies of water, particularly on sunny days, is the best way to find adult widow skimmer. Look for perching adults on twigs, rocks, or directly on the ground in sunny spots.
Are Widow skimmer harmful?
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Beneficial Effects of Widow skimmer
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Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
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Predators of Pests
Predators of Pests
Stage
Adults, Naiads
Diets
Mosquitoes, Flies, Winged Ants, Moths
Widow skimmer is a skilled hunter both in its aquatic naiad stage and as a flying adult. In its naiad form, it ambushes other aquatic invertebrates, while the robust adult captures flying insects midair using its exceptional flying agility and sharp mandibles. Widow skimmer's predation helps control populations of various pesky insects.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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