Roseate Skimmer (Female)

Description:

The males have a lavender-blue thorax and lavender pink (rosy purple) abdomen, with a metallic purple face and dark purple-red (burgundy?) eyes. The females are 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."

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 observation--but Neons prefer shaded running water, so they often choose different areas anyway. Their diet consists of various insects.

Notes:

Found on a nature walk along the Medina River.