Slaty Skimmer Dragon Fly

Description:

This species has a tan or brown face that quickly darkens and the top of the head becomes metallic black in both sexes. The front of the thorax is brown, lacking a definite middorsal stripe. The sides of the thorax lack defined l ateral stripes with only a short dark triangular spot below the forewing and the upper part of the third lateral suture is outlined in brown. The wings are clear with dark wingtips and an occasional small dark spot at the nodus. The legs are black with brown only at their extreme bases. The abdomen is slender, yellow and slightly depressed, regularly tapering rearward with the usual dark lateral and middorsal stripes in young individuals. Segment 8 in the female is widened laterally. The thorax and entire abdomen develops a deep steel blue pruinescence in both sexes.

Habitat:

Marshy ponds, lakes and slow flowing forest streams with muck bottoms. Widespread throughout eastern U.S. and Canada.