Nannothemis bella Uhler, 1857
Elfin Skimmer
NatureServe Global Rank: G4
Virginia State Rank: S1
VA DGIF Tier: IV
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: The Elfin Skimmer is our smallest dragonfly! The male is powdery blue. Females appear very different; black, with yellow rings around the abdomen and amber bases to the wings. The size is 18-20 mm (0.7 - 0.8 inches).
Similar species: No other species of dragonfly in Virginia is this small.
North American Range: It has two disjunct ranges; from the northeastern United States west to the Great Lakes and south to northeast Virginia. Also the southeastern Piedmont from North Carolina to coastal Mississippi. In Virginia, it is known Caroline and Northumberland counties.
VA Observations by Locality: Northumberland | Caroline
Flight season and broods: Adults are active from 26 May - 28 July in Virginia.
Aquatic Habitat: Elfin SKimmers live in and around boggy ponds.
Behavior and Ecology: The wings are often pushed forward when at rest. Elfin Skimmers lay eggs while in tandem.
Population trend and potential threats: It is critically imperiled to vulnerable in most states in 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 18, 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. & C. H. Hobson. 1996. The Odonata of Fort A. P. Hill and Vicinity, Caroline County, Virginia. Banisteria 7: 11-40.