Golden-winged Skimmer (Libellula auripennis)

These dragons can be fairly common and are statewide in distribution in NC. Note, however, that they can be very difficult to distinguish from Needham's Skimmer, although Needham's Skimmer tends to be restricted to the tidewater region of the coastal plain.

Golden-winged Skimmer (Libellula auripennis)
Jones Co., NC
19 July 2008

Males become rich red-orange colored.

	Golden-winged Skimmer (Libellula auripennis) Jones Co., NC 19 July 2008 Female. Note many females develop dusky wingtips.
	Golden-winged Skimmer (Libellula auripennis) Jones Co., NC 19 July 2008
	Golden-winged Skimmer (Libellula auripennis) Jones Co., NC 19 July 2008 The most diagnostic feature distinguishing Golden-winged Skimmer from Needham's Skimmer is the pattern of the color change on the side of the thorax. In Golden-winged, as shown here, the color change follows the humeral suture. In Needham's Skimmer, the pale color juts forward toward the head over the lower portion of the suture line

	Golden-winged Skimmer (Libellula auripennis) Richmond Co., NC 1 Oct 2006 Note leading edge of wing is all golden (usually partly black in Needham's).

	Golden-winged Skimmer (Libellula auripennis) Craven Co., NC 26 Aug 2007 Note the majority of the wing veins are orangish.
	Golden-winged Skimmer (Libellula auripennis) Craven Co., NC 26 Aug 2007

	Holly Shelter Gamelands Pender Co., NC 24 Apr 2004
	same individual as above

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Created on ... April 25, 2004 | Updated on ... July 31, 2008 | jspippen@duke.edu