A neon skimmer is a type of dragonfly that is known for its bright neon coloration. Neon skimmers belong to the family Libellulidae and are found primarily in North and Central America. They are medium-sized dragonflies, with adults reaching 1.5-2.5 inches in length. Neon skimmers get their name from the neon stripes or patches of color they display on their bodies, which can range from bright red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. The vibrant coloration makes them stand out against vegetation near the water bodies they inhabit.
Identification
Neon skimmers can be identified by their medium size, brightly colored neon stripes or patches, and typical dragonfly shape with large eyes, long slender abdomen, and four wings. The thorax may be marked with neon stripes or geometric patterns and the abdomen has neon stripes running down the top. The wings are clear or lightly patterned. Males and females look similar, but females may be slightly stockier. Some key neon skimmer species include:
- Cardinal meadowhawk (Sympetrum illotum) – Red thorax and red patches on abdomen
- Saffron-winged meadowhawk (Sympetrum costiferum) – Yellow stripes on thorax and yellow patches on abdomen
- Band-winged meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum) – Yellow and black bands on wings
- Turquoise bluet (Enallagma divagans) – Blue and black stripes
- Neon skimmer (Libellula croceipennis) – Orange and yellow stripes on thorax, yellow abdomen
The bright colors signal to other neon skimmers during mating. The striking patterns also serve as a warning to potential predators that they may be toxic or distasteful.
Habitat and Range
Neon skimmers are found near freshwater lakes, ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams across much of North America. Their range extends from southern Canada through most of the continental United States, Mexico, and down into parts of Central America. Within their broad habitat range, they prefer areas with abundant emergent aquatic vegetation, such as cattails and rushes, which provide perches for hunting and egg-laying. Still, stagnant water bodies with muddy bottoms are ideal, as prey like mosquito larvae thrive in these conditions.
Some neon skimmer species have more restricted ranges. For example, the saffron-winged meadowhawk primarily inhabits the wetland regions of the Midwest and Eastern United States. While the turquoise bluet has a range centered around the Great Plains and southwestern states. But most neon skimmers can be found anywhere within freshwater marsh, swamp, pond, and lake ecosystems across much of North and Central America.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of neon skimmers consists of three stages – egg, nymph, and adult. It begins when females lay eggs on vegetation or debris in the water. Eggs hatch into nymphs which live entirely underwater, molting between instars as they grow over several months to a year. Nymphs are voracious predators, feeding on mosquito larvae, small insects, and even tadpoles and small fish. When ready, the final nymphal stage will crawl out of the water at night to undergo metamorphosis into the aerial adult form.
As adults, neon skimmers live for several weeks to a few months. Their bright coloration develops shortly after metamorphosis. Adults feed on flying insects which they capture in the air. Males will patrol breeding territories looking for females and warding off competitors. After mating, the female lays the fertilized eggs back into the water, completing the lifecycle. In warmer climates, neon skimmers may produce multiple generations per year. Further north, their life cycle is typically restricted to spring through fall, with just one generation annually.
Behavior
Neon skimmers are agile, acrobatic fliers, zipping over water to hunt insects. They can fly forward, backward, and rapidly change direction. Males are highly territorial, aggressively defending small breeding territories against other males. They patrol back and forth looking for females and chase away intruders. Females enter the breeding areas solely to mate and lay eggs. Outside of breeding, neon skimmers may disperse further from water, perching on rocks, logs, or vegetation when not actively hunting. But they spend the majority of their time near the water bodies where they emerged as adults.
Diet
Neon skimmers are carnivorous and feed on a variety of small prey. As nymphs underwater, they eat mosquito larvae, aquatic insects, tadpoles, and small fish. The nymphs ambush prey by burying themselves in sediment and waiting for unsuspecting animals to come near. As adults, neon skimmers prey on flying insects including mosquitoes, flies, moths, butterflies, ants, and bees. They capture prey in flight using the basket-like legs as a trap. Their large multifaceted eyes help detect movement of potential prey.
Significance
Neon skimmers fill an important ecological niche, both as nymphs in aquatic food webs and adults preying on flying insects. The nymphs are one of the top predators in small freshwater ecosystems. By feeding on mosquito larvae, they help control mosquito populations and associated diseases. As adults, they help regulate terrestrial insect populations as well. Observation of neon skimmers can indicate the overall health of wetland habitats, since they require high quality, unpolluted water bodies.
Many people also enjoy seeing the colorful neon skimmers as they brighten up areas around lakes and ponds. Neon skimmers are relatively hardy compared to other dragonfly species, adapting readily to artificial ponds and water gardens as well. Providing suitable muddy pond habitat with cattails and other aquatic vegetation can help attract these vibrant rainbow-colored insects.
Threats and Conservation
While still common across much of their range, some neon skimmer species face threats from habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation. Draining or filling of wetlands eliminates essential breeding grounds. Pollution from agricultural runoff and development can degrade water quality, causing nymph mortality and reducing prey. Invasive species also pressure native neon skimmer populations through disruption of food webs or predation.
Protecting wetlands across North America is key to conservation of neon skimmers. Preserving hydrology and water quality, allowing natural vegetation growth, and providing undisturbed breeding grounds will benefit populations. Careful use of insecticides and limiting other chemical pollution is also important. Due to their small territories and short flight ranges, creating habitat connectivity between ponds and wetlands can help counteract habitat fragmentation issues. Continued monitoring of neon skimmer populations and research into their ecosystem roles can support management efforts.
Key Facts
- Neon skimmers belong to the family Libellulidae, which includes some of the most colorful dragonflies.
- They have bright neon stripes or patches of color in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
- Found across North and Central America near freshwater lakes, ponds, marshes, and streams.
- Prefer areas with emergent aquatic vegetation for perching, hunting, and breeding.
- Go through incomplete metamorphosis with egg, nymph, and adult life stages.
- Nymphs are important aquatic predators feeding on mosquito larvae and other small prey.
- Adults capture flying insects like mosquitoes, flies, moths, and bees.
- Males are territorial and patrol breeding areas looking for females.
- Serve as indicators of wetland habitat quality due to their sensitivity to pollution.
- Protecting breeding wetlands is key to conservation of neon skimmer populations.
Conclusion
Neon skimmers are some of the most vibrantly colored dragonflies in North America. They display stunning neon patterns in shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. These medium-sized dragonflies inhabit a range of freshwater wetlands across much of the continent. As both nymphs and adults, neon skimmers are important predators that help regulate aquatic and terrestrial insect populations. Their complex life cycle relies on good water quality and healthy wetland vegetation. While still common in many areas, habitat loss and pollution pose threats to certain neon skimmer species. Protecting essential breeding grounds in lakes, ponds, marshes, and streams will help ensure neon skimmers continue to brighten wetland ecosystems for years to come.