THE XERCES SOCIETY FOR INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION

Aquatic Invertebrates in Pacific Northwest Freshwater Wetlands
An Identification Guide and Educational Resource

The skimmer dragonflies inhabit a variety of habitats, including lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, oxbows, temporary pools, springs and slow-flowing streams. The great majority are lentic and inhabit wetlands. However, a few genera are occasionally found in faster flowing waters.

Two species, Paltothemis lineatipes and Brechmorhoga mendax can be found in California..

The Libellulidae are easily confused with the green eyed skimmers (Corduliidae). As is typical of dragonfly larvae, their body is thick with 5 relatively short points (no plates) at the end of the abdomen. Their labium is scoop shaped and covers much of the front of the head when at rest. The "pincers" or lobes of the labium usually don't have recognizable teeth as in the Cordullidae. If they do have recognizable, evenly sized teeth, they will have very long spines at the end of the abdomen.