Libellula
saturata
(Flame Skimmer)
Description:
Naiad-
This is a fairly large naiad, with a maximum length of 1 1/8 inches (28 mm).
The abdomen is rounded, giving it a short, stocky appearance known as the sprawler
form. It is covered with hairs, but has no hooks or spines as do many other
naiads.
Adult- This
is a large dragonfly with a length
of 2 1/16 to 2 7/16 inches (52 to 61 mm). It is entirely red,
including the legs and wing veins.
Range:
This species is found from
southwestern Idaho west and south to southern California, throughout the southwestern
U.S., and east to Wyoming. In Idaho, it is found in the southwestern part of
the state.
Habitat:
This dragonfly occurs
near warm water ponds, warm, slow streams, and hot springs. In the northern
part of its range, it almost always occurs near hot springs. Specifically in
Idaho, it occurs in low elevation desert in the southwest, and at hot springs
in the central and southeast portions of the state.
Adult Flight Season:
Mid-May to early
September
Diet:
Naiad-
Naiads feed on a wide variety of aquatic insects, such as mosquito larvae, other
aquatic fly larvae, mayfly larvae, and freshwater shrimp. They will also eat
small fish and tadpoles.
Adult-
The dragonfly will eat almost any soft-bodied flying insect including mosquitoes,
flies, butterflies, moths, mayflies, and flying ants or termites.
Ecology:
The naiads live in mud
on the bottom of warm ponds, streams, and springs. They do not actively pursue
prey but wait for it to pass by, a strategy which affords them protection from
other predators. Naiads emerge as adults at night. Adults generally fly from
mid-May to early September. Hunting occurs from perches on twigs and rocks.
This dragonfly is very common in the southwestern U.S., and around the Firehole
River in Yellowstone National Park because of the hot springs.
Reproduction:
Males establish and
defend territories at prime breeding locations. After males and females mate,
the female flies singly, without the male attached, to lay her eggs. She does
this by dipping the tip of her abdomen in the shallows of springs and ponds
while hovering just above the water's surface.
Conservation:
Populations
are widespread, abundant, and secure.
Status: | Unprotected nongame species |
Global Rank: | G5 |
State Rank: | S? |
References:
Corbet, P. S. 1999.
Dragonflies: Behavior and Ecology of Odonata. Cornell University Press, Ithaca,
New York, USA, 829pp.
Logan, E. R. 1967. The Odonata of Idaho. Unpublished M. S. thesis. University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USA, 105 pp.
Needham, J. G. and M. J. Westfall. 1955. Dragonflies of North America. University of California Press, Berkely, California, USA, 615 pp.
Paulson, D. R. 1999. Dragonflies of Washington. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle, Washington, USA, 32 pp.
Walker, E. M. and P. S. Corbet. 1975. The Odonata of Canada and Alaska, Vol. III. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 307 pp.