Twelve-spotted Skimmer

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The Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella), along with the Four-spotted and Eight-spotter Skimmers, constitute the small group of common skimmers in the Libellula genus named for the number of dark spots on the wing.

Males, like the one the top picture, have a total of twelve dark spots on the wings (three on each wing), along with white spots on the wings and white on the abdomen.

Females typically do not have white spots on the wings and their abdomens are brown with white and yellow spots on the sides.

Twelve-spotted Skimmers are found near ponds and lakes across the United States.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels