Slaty Skimmer

Photo of a slaty skimmer dragonfly, male.
Scientific Name
Libellula incesta
Family
Libellulidae (skimmers) in the order Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies)
Description

The slaty skimmer has a body about 2 inches long. Each of the four wings has a dark spot on the outer leading edge. Older males are all slate blue with black heads and eyes. Young males and females have brown abdomens and a dark stripe running down the back. This species prefers ponds and other still-water aquatic habitats, especially near woodlands. Learn more about the spangled skimmer and other dragonflies (suborder Anisoptera) in their group entry.

Media Gallery
Photo of a slaty skimmer dragonfly, male.
The slaty skimmer, Libellula incesta, has a body about 2 inches long. Older males are all slate blue with black heads.
Donna Brunet
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Photo of a Slaty Skimmer dragonfly, female
Female and young male slaty skimmers have brown abdomens and a dark stripe running down the back.
Donna Brunet
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Photo of a slaty skimmer dragonfly, male.
Photo of a Slaty Skimmer dragonfly, female
Similar Species
About Land Invertebrates in Missouri
Invertebrates are animals without backbones, including earthworms, slugs, snails, and arthropods. Arthropods—invertebrates with “jointed legs” — are a group of invertebrates that includes crayfish, shrimp, millipedes, centipedes, mites, spiders, and insects. There may be as many as 10 million species of insects alive on earth today, and they probably constitute more than 90 percent all animal species.