Ladona julia (Uhler, 1857)
Chalk-fronted Corporal Skimmer
NatureServe Global Rank: G5
Virginia State Rank: S2S3
VA DGIF Tier: IV
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: The Chalk-fronted Corporal Skimmer is a small chunky dragonfly with the only the base of the abdomen white in mature males, and with small dark spots at the base of the wings. The thorax is white above, divided by a dark line, and dark on the sides. It was formerly placed in the genus Libellula. The size range is 38-45 mm (1.5 - 1.8 inches).
Similar species: Mature males of the Chalk-fronted Corporal Skimmer have only the base of the abdomen and top of the thorax white are like no other species.
North American Range: The Chalk-fronted Corporal Skimmer is a northern dragonfly, from New England and the Canadian maritime provinces west to British Columbia and Washington. It ranges farther south in higher elevations to West Virginia and northwestern Virginia. In Virginia, it is known from Highland and Augusta Counties.
VA Observations by Locality: Highland | Augusta | Highland
Flight season and broods: Adult Chalk-fronted Corporal Skimmers can be found from 4 June - 8 August in Virginia.
Aquatic Habitat: The Chalk-fronted Corporal Skimmer prefers mud-bottomed lakes and ponds.
Behavior and Ecology: The Chalk-fronted Corporal Skimmer perches on the ground.
Population trend and potential threats: While secure in its northern range, it is imperiled in its southern range from Virginia to Indiana (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 15, 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.
Roble, S. M., Carle, F. L., and O. S. Flint. 2009. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the Laurel Fork Recreation Area, George Washington National Forest, Highland County, Virginia: Possible evidence for climate change. pp. 365-399 in S. M. Roble and J. C. Mitchell eds. Virginia Museum of Natural History Special Publication No. 16., Martinsville, Virginia.