Two large orange/red skimmers that occur in Arizona and can be present at a same location are the Flame(Libellula saturata) and Neon (L. croceipennis) Skimmers.
Males are relatively easy to separate but females are quite similar.
Species Compared
General Comparison
Wing venation
The two species differ with respect to the hindwing anal loop venation:
Flame Skimmer: Normally two rows of cells on each side of the midrib vein of the anal loop heel;
Neon Skimmer: Generally, only one row of cells on each side of the midrib vein of the anal loop heel.
Female Comparison
Overview
Flame Skimmer
- Wings usually with some orange (but can be clear).
- First longitudinal wing veins are partly yellow.
Neon Skimmer
- Wings are mostly clear.
- Wing veins are orange and lack yellow.
- Pterostigma is more elongated than in Flame Skimmer.
- Flap on abdominal segment 8 (S8) is more developed than in Flame Skimmer
Female Flame and Neon Skimmers, AZ
Male Comparison
Overview
Flame Skimmer
- Mostly orange.
- Wings have a large amber patch that extends to the pterostigma. The hindwing has a darker orange/brown midbasal stripe.
Neon Skimmer
- Abdomen and front of thorax are bright red.
- Wings have much less orange than in the Flame Skimmer. The hindwing lacks a darker orange/brown midbasal stripe.
- Pterostigma more elongated than in Flame Skimmer.
Male Flame and Neon Skimmers, AZ.