Insects diurnal

Eight-spotted Skimmer

Libellula forensis

A master of aerial maneuvers, the Eight-spotted Skimmer is easily identified by its bold wing patterns and territorial personality. Watch as this backyard ace patrols your garden, keeping pesky mosquitoes at bay.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 4.5–5.2 cm (1.8–2.0 in); Wingspan: 7–8 cm (2.8–3.1 in)

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Colors

Brownish-black bodies; wings feature two dark spots on each wing (eight total); mature males develop striking white chalky patches (pruinosity) between the dark spots.

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Key Features

Two distinct dark spots on each wing (eight in total)
Mature males have white patches between dark wing spots
Large, robust body often appearing dusty blue or gray in males
Characteristic perching posture with wings swept forward and down

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 10 AM - 4 PM

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Season May-August

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Diet Carnivorous; hunts aerial insects including mosquitoes, gnats, flies, and occasionally smaller dragonflies or damselflies.

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Habitat Lakes, ponds, marshes, and slow-moving streams; also common in suburban gardens with water features.

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Behavior

The Eight-spotted Skimmer is a classic 'percher' dragonfly, a behavior common among the skimmer family. Instead of patrolling the air continuously, they prefer to sit on tall reeds, twigs, or fence posts near the water’s edge. From these vantage points, they use their incredible 360-degree vision to scan for flying insects. When prey is spotted, they launch into a rapid, acrobatic pursuit, snagging their meal in mid-air before returning to the same or a nearby perch to consume it.

These dragonflies are highly territorial, especially the males. You will often see them engaged in high-speed dogfights with other males or even different species to defend their preferred hunting and mating grounds. Despite their aggressive nature toward other insects, they are completely harmless to humans and are excellent neighbors to have, as they significantly reduce local populations of biting flies and mosquitoes.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Eight-spotted Skimmer on a backyard camera, you must think like a hunter. These dragonflies are creatures of habit and will return to the same 'lookout' perch dozens of times a day. If your yard doesn't have a natural perch, you can easily create one. Stick a 3-to-4-foot tall bamboo stake or a slender, attractive branch into the ground near a water feature or in a sunny patch of the garden. Position your camera on a tripod roughly 2 to 3 feet away from this stake, focusing specifically on the tip where the dragonfly is most likely to land.

Lighting is crucial for insects. Because they are most active during the hottest, brightest hours, you want to position your camera so the sun is behind it, illuminating the dragonfly's wings. This 'front-lighting' will highlight the white pruinosity on the males and the intricate vein patterns in the wings. If your camera allows for manual focus or zone focusing, set it for the exact tip of the perch to ensure the AI trigger captures a sharp image rather than a blurry background.

Since dragonflies are cold-blooded, they are attracted to heat and light. Placing your camera near dark stones that hold thermal energy or near a pond's edge will increase your chances. For the best results, use a high-speed trigger setting or 'burst mode' if your device supports it, as their movements can be lightning-fast. Avoid placing the camera where tall grass might blow in front of the lens and trigger the sensor unnecessarily, as this will drain the battery and fill your SD card with 'ghost' sightings.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Eight-spotted Skimmer.

Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Has three dark spots on each wing instead of two, creating a busier wing pattern.

Four-spotted Skimmer

Much smaller wing spots and lacks the large, bright white patches found on mature male Eight-spotted Skimmers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eight-spotted Skimmer are most active during the warmest parts of the day, typically between 10 AM and 4 PM, when the sun provides the energy they need for flight.

Provide a clean water source like a pond or large birdbath and install tall, vertical perching sticks or plant native reeds for them to use as hunting platforms.

They are voracious predators that eat flying insects, primarily mosquitoes, midges, and small flies, which they catch in mid-air.

Yes, they are very common in suburban areas throughout Western North America, particularly in neighborhoods with garden ponds or nearby wetlands.

Check the wings: the Eight-spotted Skimmer has two dark spots per wing, while the Twelve-spotted Skimmer has three dark spots per wing.

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