This week’s #SpeciesOfTheWeek is the Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella). Twelve-spotted Skimmers are large showy dragonflies with a wingspan of about 10cm. When sighted, they often appear larger due to an illusion caused by the 6 alternating white and black spots on each wing (in the case of the male). Twelve-spotted Skimmers are most active in July and August and are very territorial, often patrolling the whole shore of water bodies, such as lakes and ponds. Oftentimes, male Twelve-spotted Skimmers will engage in territorial disputes with other males. These altercations consist of repeating loops around the other male, with the victor being the male that completes a full loop around the other male. The aquatic larvae of Twelve-spotted Skimmers feed on insects such as mosquito larvae, aquatic fly larvae, and freshwater shrimp. They have even been seen catching small fish! As adults, they eat a range of soft-bodied insects, including mosquitos, moths, flies, mayflies, flying ants, and termites. Let us know if you see this or other species of dragonflies in the park!