E-Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the Wildlife of British Columbia

Libellula forensis
Eight-Spotted Skimmer
Family: Libellulidae
Species account author: Robert Cannings.
Extracted with permission from Introducing the Dragonflies of British Columbia and the Yukon (2002), published by the © Royal BC Museum.
Introduction to the Odonata of BC
The Families of Odonata of BC

© Brian Klinkenberg  Email the photographer   (Photo ID #11747)

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Distribution of Libellula forensis in British Columbia.
(Click on the map to view a larger version.)
Source: (for the static map) RBCM and BCCDC 2004 ©
Read more about map sources here.

Species Information


Description

Each of the four wings bears two large dark patches; mature males and some females have white patches between the dark ones and near the wing tips, which are clear. The thorax has two pale stripes on the sides, often broken into spots. The abdominal segments have yellow stripes on the sides. Mature males have a thin coating of blue-grey pruinescence on the abdomen and front of the thorax. Length: ♂ 48 mm, ♀ 46 mm.


Flight Period

B.C., early May to late October.

Genus Description


Three striking king skimmers live in B.C.; two others have recently been moved to other genera – Ladona and Plathemis. Many species have banded or spotted wings, and in some species, males sport abdomens covered with white or bluish pruinescence. Showy and aggressive, king skimmers perch, hover and skim over the waters of ponds, lakeshores and sluggish streams. During egg laying, a female taps the water with the end of her abdomen; she flies alone or is guarded by her mate hovering nearby. Females of most species have small flaps on the sides of segment 8 that help them splash water along with their eggs, often depositing them on the shore.

Biology

Family Description

The largest dragonfly family in our region – 24 species in eight genera live here and one other species in another genus is a rare visitor. They come in many sizes and colours, many with bold wing markings or coloured veins. Their eyes meet broadly on top of the head. The anal loop in the hindwing is distinctive: foot-shaped with a long toe. Most common around ponds, marshy lakeshores and sluggish streams, the adults dart about and most species spend a lot of time perched horizontally in the sun. Females lay eggs alone or in the company of guarding males. Most dip the tip of their abdomen into the water when releasing the eggs, but some will tap or splash the eggs into wet mud or moss, or simply flick them into a dry pond basin. Some larvae, like those of the emeralds, move sluggishly or squat on the bottom mud; others climb in vegetation.
Field Notes

Especially common on the south coast and in the Thompson-Okanagan region. Conspicuous around marshy lakes and ponds at low to medium elevations.

Distribution


Montane. Across B.C. in southern valleys.

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeS5YellowNot Listed



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Photo Sources

Photos from OdonataCentral
 Flickr Image Search
Google Image Search
Images from Calphoto

General References

Searchable Dragonfly & Damselfly Bibliography, 1773 - present
 Google Scholar Search
Recommended citation: Author, Date. Page title. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) 2012. E-Fauna BC: Electronic Atlas of the Fauna of British Columbia [efauna.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. [Accessed: 5/20/2013 1:21:45 PM]
Disclaimer: The information contained in an E-Fauna BC atlas pages is derived from expert sources as cited in each section. This information is scientifically based.  E-Fauna BC also acts as a portal to other sites via deep links.  As always, users should refer to the original sources for complete information.  E-Fauna BC is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the original information.

E-Fauna BC: An initiative of the Spatial Data Lab, Department of Geography, UBC