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Eight-spotted skimmer

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(Redirected from Libellula forensis)

Eight-spotted skimmer
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Odonata
Infraorder: Anisoptera
Family: Libellulidae
Genus: Libellula
Species:
L. forensis
Binomial name
Libellula forensis
Hagen, 1861 [2]
Range of L. forensis [3]

The eight-spotted skimmer (Libellula forensis) is a dragonfly of the skimmer family.

Description

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This dragonfly features the standard skimmer body form, and earns its name from the eight black markings on the wings. It is similar to the twelve-spotted skimmer, but lacks the black markings on the wing tips of that species. Males are additionally adorned with a total of eight opaque white spots. It can be found west of the Rocky Mountains near muddy bottomed ponds and lakes.[4] East of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, some females may also have white spots, making them the only female dragonflies in North America with white spots on the wings.[5] The total length is 44 to 50 mm. Flight season is April through October.[4][5]

References

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  1. ^ Paulson, D.R. (2017). "Libellula forensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T51275487A65836549. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T51275487A65836549.en. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Libellula forensis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
  3. ^ "Distribution Viewer". OdonataCentral. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2009.
  4. ^ a b Abbott, John C. (2005). Dragonflies and Damselflies of Texas and the South-Central United States. Princeton University Press. p. 271. ISBN 0-691-11364-5.
  5. ^ a b Dunkle, Sidney W. (2000). Dragonflies Through Binoculars. Oxford University Press. pp. 297–298. ISBN 0-19-511268-7.
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Media related to Libellula forensis at Wikimedia Commons