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Northern Virginia Dragonflies
Skimmers (Libellulidae) - This is a large and common group of dragonflies. Skimmers get their name from the behaviour of females, which skim across the waters surface periodically dipping the tip of the abdomen into the water to deposit eggs. These are large, showy dragonflies with long wings that are often brightly colored. Males are usually more colorful than females. Most skimmer species live around slow moving water, such as ponds and wetland pools.
Widow Skimmer
Yellow-sided Skimmer
Eastern Pondhawk
Golden-winged Skimmer
Spangled Skimmer
Blue Corporal
Widow Skimmer
             
Needham's Skimmer
Twelve-spotted Skimmer
Blue Dasher
Eastern Amberwing
Ruby Meadowhawk
 
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
Skimmers (Libellulidae)



This is a large and common group of dragonflies. Skimmers get their name from the behaviour of females, which skim across the waters surface periodically dipping the tip of the abdomen into the water to deposit eggs. These are large, showy dragonflies with long wings that are often brightly colored. Males are usually more colorful than females. Most skimmer species live around slow moving water, such as ponds and wetland pools. Click on the photos below to read more about some skimmers found in Northern Virginia.

Yellow Sided Skimmer
Yellow Sided Skimmer