Flame Skimmer - TheLiving Encyclopedia

The flame skimmer or firecracker skimmer is a common dragonfly of the family Libellulidae, native to western North America.

📌 Location

Due to its choice habitat of warm ponds, streams, or hot springs, flame skimmers are found mainly in the southwestern part of the United States. They also make their homes in public gardens or backyards.

📌 Feeding habits

[[File:Libellula saturata nymph Needham 1904.png|thumb|upright=.5|Nymph of Libellula saturata from California.

📌 Reproduction

Breeding for flame skimmers occurs during their flight season from May to September. Males compete with other males for prime breeding locations and females. After mating, the male and female separate, and the female flies off alone to lay her eggs. She does this by hovering above small streams or ponds and dipping the end of her abdomen into the water. Often she deposits her eggs in many different places in order to prevent the naiads from using each other as a source of food. File:Flame skimmer (8539448063).jpg|Male flame skimmer

Quick Facts

Common Names:

Flame Skimmer, Firecracker Skimmer, Red Skimmer

Class:

Insecta

Data Completeness:

100%

Data Sources

🌍gbif

📚itis

📖wikipedia

🔬eol

🦎inaturalist

References

All references are verified for authenticity. We prioritize peer-reviewed studies, reputable databases (iNaturalist, GBIF), and established encyclopedias.

Distribution Statistics

10

Observations

9

Countries

Top Locations

Rescue, CA 95672, USA

1

Bucknell Ct, Sacramento, CA, US

1

Nevada County, CA, USA

1

Land Park, Sacramento, CA, USA

1

Tucson, Arizona, United States

1

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First: 9/23/2007 · Latest: 5/4/2025