NC Odonate Website

Related Species in LIBELLULIDAE:

Number of records added in 2020 = 45
Added in 2020 from previous years = 2 (2019-04-09) (2019-05-12)

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e.g., flight data, high counts, and earliest/latest dates can be seen.
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Painted Skimmer (Libellula semifasciata) by John Petranka

Compare with: Halloween Pennant
Identification Tips: Move the cursor over the image, or tap the image if using a mobile device, to reveal ID Tips.
Note: these identification tips apply specifically to mature males; features may differ in immature males and in females.

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Click on county for list of all its records for Painted Skimmer

flight charts

distribution

Essentially statewide, though likely scarce at middle elevations and perhaps absent at higher elevations in the mountains. Occurs throughout the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, including counties along the coast.

abundance

Fairly common to occasionally common in the southern half of the Coastal Plain; uncommon to locally fairly common in the northern Coastal Plain and in the lower Piedmont; uncommon in the remainder of the Piedmont and lower mountains; scarce at higher elevations. Abundance is quite at odds with Dunkle (2000) for its entire range, and Beaton (2007) for GA, both which indicate "uncommon". Perhaps the species is more numerous in NC than in most other states. Seldom occurs in large numbers on a given day, but quite widespread, at least in much of the Coastal Plain.

flight

Very late March or early April to mid-September, and rarely to early October, in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont; however, not numerous after late July. In the mountains, the flight occurs from late April to mid-September, but is scarce after mid-summer.

habitat

Marshes, bogs or boggy areas, grassy ponds, and other pools; favors semi-wooded areas.

behavior

Less likely to spend much time around ponds, pools, and marshes than most other skimmers. Instead, adults are typically seen foraging well away from water (thus not making it clear what might be the breeding habitat), often in fields, savannas, powerline clearings, and woodland borders. They often perch conspicuously on tips of twigs or grass stems.

comments

This skimmer seldom occurs in swarms, but is often seen daily, at least in the southern Coastal Plain in the first part of the flight season. Because of their flashy wing pattern -- males and females look almost alike -- individuals are easily noticed, even by beginners or casual observers.

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[Overwinter:] [Date Spread:] [No Late Date:] [Split on Feb:] [Default:]

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Species account update: LeGrand1234

The Dragonflies and Damselflies of North Carolina
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Photo Gallery for Painted Skimmer 40 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.		Other NC Galleries: Jeff Pippen Will Cook Ted Wilcox
	Photo 1 by: Rob Van Epps, Kevin Metcalf Comment: Scotland, 2020-04-17,		Photo 2 by: Chuck Smith Comment: Rowan, 2020-04-14, Eagle Point Nature Preserve. - Female.
	Photo 3 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Cumberland, 2020-03-19, Carvers Creek State Park (CACR) - Sandhills Access		Photo 4 by: John Petranka, Jim Petranka and party. Comment: Avery, 2019-05-21, Pond on private property that adjoins the Blue Ridge Parkway in southern Avery County. - Male.
	Photo 5 by: p dixon Comment: Madison, 2019-05-12, Hot Springs		Photo 6 by: Mark Shields, Hunter Phillips Comment: Wayne, 2019-04-15, Cliffs of the Neuse State Park (CLNE)
	Photo 7 by: Rob Van Epps Comment: Mecklenburg, 2019-04-11, West Branch Rocky River Greenway		Photo 8 by: Doug Allen Comment: Polk; P, 2019-04-07, FENCE (Foothills Equestrian Nature Center) - 1st Polk county since before 2000
	Photo 9 by: Aaron Edmonds Comment: Harnett; C, 2018-08-23, Flat Branch		Photo 10 by: Mark Shields, John Petranka, Sally Gewalt Comment: Jackson, 2018-06-26, Panthertown Valley, Nantahala National Forest - in bog. First record for county.
	Photo 11 by: Mark Shields Comment: Currituck, 2018-06-09, pond at Currituck Community Park near Maple		Photo 12 by: J. Brown Comment: Dare; OBU, 2018-05-26, RUHI
	Photo 13 by: Mark Shields Comment: Beaufort, 2018-05-25, Voice of America Game Land		Photo 14 by: Mark Shields Comment: Edgecombe, 2018-05-25, Etheridge Pond, Tar River Game Land
	Photo 15 by: Vin Stanton Comment: Clay, 2018-05-12, Beaver pond Buck Creek Road		Photo 16 by: Mark Shields and Hunter Phillips Comment: Brunswick, 2018-04-02, Boiling Spring Lakes Preserve Nature Trail
	Photo 17 by: Mark Shields Comment: Jones, 2017-04-11, Weetock Trail near Haywood Landing, Croatan National Forest		Photo 18 by: Mark Shields Comment: Onslow, 2017-04-08, my property, Holly Ridge
	Photo 19 by: Mark Shields Comment: Carteret, 2016-03-29, ponds along Patsy Pond Nature Trail, Croatan National Forest		Photo 20 by: Mark Shields Comment: New Hanover, 2015-08-06, Carolina Beach State Park - at Lily Pond
	Photo 21 by: Kristy Baker Comment: Currituck, 2015-06-09, Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary		Photo 22 by: Kristy Baker Comment: Dare; Mainland, 2015-06-07, Alligator River NWR Charles Kuralt Trail
	Photo 23 by: Kristy Baker Comment: Tyrrell, 2015-06-06, Palmetto-Peartree Preserve		Photo 24 by: Salman Abdulali Comment: Pitt, 2015-05-05, Boyd Lee Park
	Photo 25 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Graham, 2014-06-23, Tulula Wetlands		Photo 26 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Durham, 2014-06-01, Duke Forest
	Photo 27 by: Owen McConnell Comment: Orange, 2014-05-09, Occoneechee Mountain SNA - female		Photo 28 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Jones, 2014-05-03, - Waterfowl impoundment
	Photo 29 by: Conrad Wernett Comment: Scotland, 2014-04-26, - Scotland Lake		Photo 30 by: Vin Stanton, Virginia Senechal Comment: Henderson, 2013-06-20, Westfeldt Park, Northern Henderson County - Male & Female