Ladona exusta (Say, 1839)
White Corporal Skimmer
NatureServe Global Rank: G4
Virginia State Rank: SH
VA DGIF Tier: IV
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: The White Corporal Skimmer is a small chunky dragonfly with a white abdomen in mature males, and dark spots at the base of the wings. The thorax is entirely dark. It was formerly placed in the genus Libellula. The size range is 37-46 mm (1.5 - 1.8 inches).
Similar species: The abundant and ubiquitous Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) also has a white abdomen, but is significantly larger and the male has brown bands in the middle of the wings.
North American Range: The White Corporal Skimmer can be found on the Atlantic coast from the Canadian maritime provinces south to Maryland. Formerly to northeast Virginia, with the only record from Richmond County in 1975 (Carle, 1982).
VA Observations by Locality: Richmond
Flight season and broods: The 1975 record is from 20 May. Flight dates in New Jersey range from 20 April - 3 August.
Aquatic Habitat: The White Corporal Skimmer prefers boggy ponds and lakes.
Behavior and Ecology: The White Corporal Skimmer perches on the ground, tree trunks, or floating debris.
Population trend and potential threats: The White Corporal Skimmer is apparently secure in its New England range, but imperiled in the southern portion of its range (NatureServe, 2011).
Management practices: Monitor and protect occupied habitats.
References: Carle, F.L., 1982. A contribution to the knowledge of the Odonata. Ph.D. thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia. 1,095 pp.
NatureServe. 2011. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer (Accessed: Oct 10, 2012).
Paulson, Dennis. 2011. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East. Princeton University Press. Princeton and Oxford. 538 pp.
Roble, Steven M. 2011. Dragonflies of Virginia- Flight dates. Unpub.