Libellula

Libellula is a genus of skimmer dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. Its species include the twelve-spotted skimmer and the widow skimmer.

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Libellulidae: Libellulidae is a large family of dragonflies commonly called skimmers. Libellula belongs to this family, whose members share traits used in dragonfly classification.
Twelve-spotted skimmer: The twelve-spotted skimmer is a North American dragonfly, Libellula pulchella, with dark and pale wing spots. It is one of the genus’s best-known species and exemplifies its patterned wings.
Dragonfly life cycle: The dragonfly life cycle proceeds from egg through aquatic nymph to winged adult. Libellula develops through these distinct aquatic and aerial stages.
Dragonfly monitoring: Dragonfly monitoring tracks species and abundance to study freshwater ecosystems and environmental change. Libellula records can contribute observations of dragonfly distribution and seasonal activity.
Odonata: Odonata is the insect order comprising dragonflies and damselflies. This order provides the broader taxonomic setting for Libellula.
Widow skimmer: The widow skimmer is Libellula luctuosa, a North American dragonfly with dark wing bands and pale patches. This species gives Libellula a conspicuous example of contrasting wing coloration.
Dragonfly flight: Dragonfly flight uses independently controlled forewings and hindwings for maneuvering and hovering. This flight system supports the aerial hunting typical of Libellula adults.
Bioindicator: A bioindicator is an organism or biological response used to assess environmental conditions. Dragonflies’ aquatic immature stages make their presence relevant to freshwater assessments.
Dragonfly: A dragonfly is a predatory insect in the suborder Anisoptera, with large eyes and two pairs of strong wings. Libellula species are dragonflies, not damselflies.
Common whitetail: The common whitetail is Libellula lydia, a North American dragonfly whose mature males have broad white wing patches. Its mature males illustrate the genus’s striking sex- and age-related appearance.