Roseate Skimmer Dragonfly

Description:

Size total length 46-55mm Identification Males: lavender-blue thorax and lavender pink (rosy purple) abdomen, with a metallic purple face and dark purple-red (burgundy?) eyes. Females: yellow-to-golden brown. In flight, depending on the angle of light, they can look pink or magenta or purple. This is a strong-flying species, a typical "big skimmer." Range Across southern United States: California to Florida, north to Carolinas. Habitat Ponds and quiet water, both permanent and temporary rain pools, stock tanks, etc. In central Texas, these dragonflies seem to prefer water where they do not have to compete with Neon Skimmers (more aggressive in defending territory.) They will mate and lay eggs in even small pools (bathtub size) if there is vegetation nearby or overhanging, strong enough to perch on. Males guard water from vegatation near it, and patrol vigorously (but do not seem to compete well with Neon Skimmers, at least to our observation--but Neons prefer shaded running water, so they often choose different areas anyway. Season In Texas, late summer through fall. Abbott reports two emergence peaks in Lousiana, one in spring and one in late summer/early fall. Roseates fly in midday when some other species are not flying. Food Insects Remarks The males are unmistakeable and breathtaking--a streak of purple or rosy-pink. The females resemble female Neon Skimmers in their coloration and use the same egg-laying technique (flicking eggs in water droplets towards the shore or emergent vegetation.) Tenerals are brown. http://bugguide.net/node/view/2708

Habitat:

Back yard