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Long skimmer

Long skimmer

Orthetrum trinacria

A species of Skimmers

Characterized by a sleek body and elongated wings, long skimmer is a master of aerial agility, often seen darting above water bodies. As juveniles, they camouflage with brownish tones on terrestrial vegetation, but adults flaunt paler hues with mature wings. They have voracious appetites, preying on smaller flying insects, using their sharp vision and swift flight to capture prey mid-air.

General Info About Long skimmer
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Attributes of Long skimmer
Colors
Brown
Black
Yellow
White
Blue
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Long 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 Long 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 Long skimmer
Stable population
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Distribution Area of Long skimmer
Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Ghana, Italy
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Life Cycle of Long skimmer
Egg Laid in or near water, the eggs of long skimmer hatch into nymphs. They are small, colorless and lack the wings of the adult stage. Eggs are often laid in a gelatinous mass to protect them until hatching occurs.
Naiad As naiads, long skimmer are aquatic and undergo several molts. Each molt reveals incremental growth in size. naiads are predatory, with a differently shaped and colored body compared to adults. They lack wings but possess extendable mouthparts.
Adult Emerging from their final molt, adult long skimmer exhibit a drastic change in form. They now display colorful wings and slender bodies. Adults focus on flight, mating, and dispersal. Unlike nymphs, they are often vivid and can be territorial.
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Interesting Facts About Long skimmer
Long skimmer possesses unique enzymes in its saliva that allow it to digest prey more efficiently, enhancing its predatory efficiency.
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Scientific Classification of Long skimmer
Class
Bugs
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Order
Odes
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Family
Skimmers
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Tips for Finding Long skimmer
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Youth Habitat of Long skimmer
Freshwater Habitats
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Adult Habitat of Long skimmer
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Freshwater Habitats, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas
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When is the Best Time to Observe Long skimmer
The suitable time to find adult long skimmer is usually on warm, sunny days from late spring to early fall, especially near bodies of water where they lay their eggs and where the naiads develop.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Long skimmer
Long skimmer are most active and visible in warm and sunny weather, and less so during rainy or cold days.
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How and Where Can You Find Long skimmer at Different Life Stages
Egg Eggs of long skimmer are laid in water or on aquatic plants. Finding them requires gently observing the stems of water plants in calm water bodies, without disturbing the habitat.
Naiad Long skimmer naiads are aquatic and can be found in ponds, lakes, or slow-moving streams with clean water. Look for them among submerged vegetation or debris using a small net to sift through the water gently.
Adult During the emergence stage, long skimmer metamorphose from naiads to adulthood. This process often occurs on plants near water bodies, so search for long skimmer early in the morning on reeds, grasses, or other vertical substrates at the water's edge.
Adult long skimmer are commonly found flying or perching near water sources such as ponds, streams, or wetlands. The best way to find them is by quietly walking along the shores, looking for them basking in the sun on vegetation or flying above the water surface.
Are Long skimmer harmful?
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Beneficial Effects of Long 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
Purpose
Feed Itself
Diets
Mosquitoes, Flies, Moths, Butterflies
Long skimmer navigates its habitat with precision, preying primarily on flying insects. Employing keen eyesight, it captures prey mid-flight. Naiads are aquatic and hunt small creatures within water bodies. The hunting behavior ensures survival and balances ecosystems by controlling pest populations. Intriguingly, long skimmer can consume prey equivalent to its own weight in a single day.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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