Nebraska Dragonflies and Damselflies

Eight-spotted Skimmer

Libellula forensis

Hagen, 1861

The Eight-spotted Skimmer has two large dark spots in each wing. The area between the dark spots may be white or clear. The adult male's abdomen becomes pruinose (whitish). The female's abdomen is marked with yellow stripes. It is similar to the Twelve-spotted Skimmer, which has dark wing tips.

This is a western species barely reaching western Nebraska. It is recordedfrom 3 northwestern counties and Deuel County in the southeast cornerof the Panhandle. It is a pond species found in the same pond habitat with thecommon Twelve-spotted Skimmer, Widow Skimmer and Common Whitetail, and it is very possible that all records are of temporary invasions.

Green indicates accepted county record (specimen or photograph).
Yellow indicates sight record only.